Japan’s extensive history of disaster preparedness: A Lecture by Professor Kazuo Konagai | JICA Chair Programme 2024/25 Lecture VII
The University of Colombo hosted the 7th session under the JICA Chair Programme 2024/25 on January 16, 2025. The event, held at the Senate Hall, College House, brought together academia and experts to discuss historical and modern approaches to disaster preparedness and response.
The programme began with a warm welcome by Professor Chaminda Pathmakumara, Head of the Department of International Relations. Following this, Ms Yuri Ide, Senior Representative of JICA Sri Lanka, highlighted JICA’s commitment to fostering international cooperation in disaster management and resilience-building. The keynote lecture, delivered by Professor Kazuo Konagai, Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo, delved into Japan’s extensive history of disaster preparedness. Professor Konagai shared insights into how Japan’s unique geographical challenges have shaped its policies and innovations. Notable discussions included lessons from historical earthquakes, the role of ancient civil engineering projects, and the integration of traditional wisdom with modern technology. He underscored the significance of documenting disaster-related information, as exemplified by Japan’s meticulous record-keeping over centuries.
Senior Professor G Y Jayasinghe of the University of Ruhuna served as the commentator, comparing the differences between the Japanese and Sri Lankan disaster management systems. He emphasized the importance of localizing global strategies to address specific environmental and cultural contexts. The session, moderated by the Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor (Chair) H D Karunaratne, concluded with an engaging Q&A session where participants explored the role of education and cross-border collaboration in mitigating disaster risks. Dr Iroja Caldera, the Director of the International Office, delivered the vote of thanks, commending JICA and all participants for their contributions.
