There is an urgent need to train personnel who can contribute to recovery and revitalization following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, based on their academic achievements in their specialized fields in cooperation with the local government. Furthermore, considering the challenges faced by disaster-stricken areas globally and in Japan, where natural disasters occur frequently, it is important to continuously produce individuals globally and in Japan who possess a correct understanding of natural disasters and respond to disaster prevention and mitigation through their own sound judgment.

In light of such circumstances, we implement a special program in the regular curriculums of undergraduate degree programs and the master’s program to cultivate highly skilled personnel who contribute to the recovery and revitalization of disaster-stricken areas and disaster prevention and mitigation both in Japan and globally by acquiring scientific, ethical and empirical skills through the study of scientific knowledge related to disasters, recovery and revitalization, disaster prevention and mitigation.

This program consists of “Introduction to Disaster Prevention and Revitalization” (required subject), common education subjects related to disaster prevention and recovery, and professional education subjects (required subjects or elective subjects). Students who acquire credits for “Introduction to Disaster Prevention and Revitalization” will be eligible to take the exam for Disaster Prevention Specialist (certified by the Japan Bousaisi Organization). In addition, with an eye toward working as a disaster prevention specialist, you can acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary through lectures and practical exercises given by faculty members and practitioners. Those who complete the program will be granted a certificate of program completion.

I look forward to seeing many highly skilled personnel trained through this program, who will contribute both to the recovery and revitalization of disaster-stricken areas and to disaster prevention and mitigation throughout society.