A research presentation on “Disaster Prevention Strategies for Libraries and Archives” by Professor Yujiro OGAWA of the Environmental Disaster Preparedness Department of Fuji Tokoha University.

Very few strategies exist to prevent destruction by disaster of institutional archives and libraries, many of which either house cultural assets or are cultural assets themselves. Of the many instances of the destruction of libraries and archives all over the world, by far the most important causes have to do with destruction wreaked by war, but research also shows a large proportion of other human-made causes. In Japan, the dispersal of collections due to merging of municipalities is one cause. The items kept in archives and libraries are vulnerable to water and sludge, and they often end up getting damaged in people’s first and foremost concern to extinguish and contain fires. Training for staff is one effective strategy to combat this. Other ideas include creating manuals for these facilities explaining the safest measures to take in the event of disasters.

A research presentation on “Disaster and Damage Insurance” was given by Mr. Harumi YASHIRO of Tokio Marine & Nichido Risk Consulting Co., Ltd.

After giving a brief overview of the specifics of non-life insurance and risk management, Mr. Yashiro went on to mention earthquake insurance and special contracts covering earthquake risks, explaining what they mean in the event of a disaster. He also explained the “products” for insurance companies insuring against natural disasters (e.g., weather derivatives), with examples, and other new developments in the field.

A presentation was given by Mr. Yoshiyasu NOBESAWA of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple on “Efforts Being Taken to Protect the Higashi Hongan-ji Temple against Damage in the Event of a Disaster”

Mr. Nobesawa began with an explanation of the restoration efforts on the Goei-do (Founder’s Hall) of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, and the disaster prevention facilities and the security systems being installed as part of these efforts. He followed with information on attempts to utilize the water pipes of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, first instituted in the Meiji period, and the moat, in making improvements in disaster protection infrastructure as well as in the local environment. A talk that demonstrated from a variety of angles the possibilities that exist for Higashi Hongan-ji to become a hub for the local community in matters of disaster preparedness.

A research presentation on “The Criminal Psychology of Arson” by Professor Masayuki KIRYU of Kansai University of International Studies Department of Human Psychology. The various psychological backgrounds to the criminal behavior of arson brought about by humans were carefully explained based on the theory and empirical research previously accumulated in psychology. Problem areas were identified as (1) crime prevention goods, (2) crime prevention patrols and (3) crime prevention classrooms, and the importance of academic research able to support these while also making clear efforts against criminal activity was indicated.

A research presentation on “Factors in crowd accidents and laws to control them” by International Institute for Advanced Studies Fellow (Kyoto University Emeritus) Tomio KINOSHITA. How large scale crowd accidents that have occurred in the past occur due to the synergistic effects of the hard aspect (structures) and soft aspects (information and lead systems of people) was explained while drawing upon many examples. After that, the importance of appropriate measures from both hard and soft aspects for preventing that, and appropriate examples that have actually been carried out, and reasons for that, were given.

A research presentation entitled “Earthquake risk management of architectural cultural assets” was given by Professor Hitoshi TANIGUCHI of the Nagoya Institute of Technology. It was primarily organized around the research that has been done up until now on predicting the extend of damage to architectural cultural assets due to Tokai and Tonankai earthquakes that occur in the Tokai region. Examples of before and after the fact tactics for risk management were also presented, and it was discussed how not only technological aspects but also financial management is important.