SAKIGAKE管理人 On June 3, 2025, we mark the 34th anniversary of the tragic Unzen-Fugendake eruption, a volcanic disaster deeply etched in Japan’s disaster history. On June 3, 1991, a massive pyroclastic flow erupted from Unzen-Fugendake, located in Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture, claiming 43 lives, including several journalists and scholars who were on the front lines.
This disaster became a turning point for Japan’s volcanic disaster preparedness. It led to the enhancement of volcano monitoring systems, the development of hazard maps, and the revision of evacuation plans. In this article, we look back on the lessons learned from the eruption and examine the role of modern disaster prevention companies, introducing the latest solutions offered by SAKIGAKE JAPAN.
The 1991 Unzen-Fugendake Eruption: Overview and Impact
Unzen-Fugendake is an active volcano on the Shimabara Peninsula in Kyushu. In 1792 during the Edo period, a previous collapse and tsunami from this volcano resulted in over 15,000 deaths in what is known as the “Shimabara Catastrophe and Higo Disaster.”
In November 1990, minor eruptive activity began. Then, on June 3, 1991, at 4:08 PM, a massive pyroclastic flowoccurred, traveling at over 100 km/h and devastating nearby settlements. The key damages were as follows:
- Deaths/Missing: 44 people
- Buildings Damaged: Approx. 2,500 structures
- Evacuees: About 11,000 people
- Economic Loss: Approx. ¥229.9 billion
Because the pyroclastic flow extended beyond designated evacuation zones, national debate focused on the underestimation of risk, the media’s role, and the effectiveness of evacuation orders.
Characteristics of Volcanic Disasters: Hard to Predict, Yet Preventable
Unlike earthquakes or typhoons, volcanic eruptions often come with months or years of precursory activity, offering opportunities to reduce impact through proactive measures. However, volcanic disasters also present unique risks:
- Uncertainty in eruption scale and timing
- Compound disasters such as ashfall, pyroclastic flows, lahars, and debris flows
- Long-term evacuation and economic disruption
In recent years, Sakurajima in Kagoshima reached Level 5 (evacuation alert) in 2021, and Kuchinoerabu Islandexperienced a major eruption in 2023. Volcanic disasters remain an ongoing threat for Japan, a country with many active volcanoes.
SAKIGAKE JAPAN’s Approach: Preparing for Volcanic Risks
As a disaster prevention company, SAKIGAKE JAPAN delivers solutions that support all phases of disaster response — prediction, preparedness, response, and recovery.
● Heli-Portable: Rapid Deployment of Support Bases
- Deploys emergency heliports instantly in areas where roads are cut off due to volcanic activity or remote island/mountainous regions.
- Weighing just 35 kg, it can be carried by one person and quickly set up after an eruption for transporting aid and evacuating injured persons.
- Enables faster air-based logistics in inaccessible areas or secondary disaster zones blocked by debris.
● Cold Storage Box Portable: Securing Critical Supplies
- Keeps medicines (e.g., vaccines) and food fresh even when power and fuel supplies are disrupted due to eruptions.
- Designed to withstand ash and solar heat, minimizing the effects of external conditions.
- Supports emergency medical posts and shelters with critical supply storage capabilities.
● Luminous Signs (10-Year Glow): Enhanced Evacuation Guidance
- Glows in the dark for long durations even during blackouts or ash-induced darkness, guiding people safely along evacuation routes.
- Signs on walls, floors, and handrails, plus roadside evacuation markers, improve visibility and safety.
- Highly weather-resistant and lasts over a decade outdoors, reducing maintenance costs.
From Lessons to Action: The Role of Businesses
The Unzen-Fugendake disaster raises critical questions for companies:
- How do we protect employees on site?
- What is our business continuity plan if a site is affected?
- How do we handle reputational damage or supply chain disruptions?
In regions with concentrated manufacturing or tourism industries, volcanic disasters can directly impact economic activity. We advocate a perspective of “disaster preparedness as investment.” Proper risk assessment and institutionalized response mechanisms help minimize damage and maintain trusted operations.
Final Thoughts: A Warning We Must Not Forget
On June 3, 1991, journalists risking their lives to report, volunteer firefighters, and volcanologists lost their lives in the pyroclastic flow. For us, this date is not just a memorial — it is a day for sharing knowledge to reduce future disaster impacts.
SAKIGAKE JAPAN remains committed to implementing disaster technologies in society, training the next generation, and pursuing international cooperation — to look ahead to the next 34 years with resolve.
▶ For product inquiries, implementation support, or training programs:
https://sakigakejp.com/en/contact-en/