SAKIGAKE管理人 Introduction: Turning Memory into Preparedness
The torrential rains that swept across Japan from June 28 to July 8, 2018, known as the Western Japan Torrential Rain Disaster, brought record-breaking rainfall, river flooding, and landslides, causing widespread devastation—particularly in Hiroshima, Okayama, and Ehime Prefectures. With 263 fatalities, more than 200,000 people affected, and tens of thousands of homes damaged or destroyed, the disaster left a deep scar on the region.
These rain-induced disasters are not merely events of the past. Rather, they prompt us to ask: “Why do such events keep recurring?” and “How should disaster preparedness evolve?” Among the answers lies disaster heritage—the stories, memorials, and collective memories of loss and resilience that, when passed on, transform memory into proactive behavior. This mechanism is essential for fostering disaster resilience among future generations.
In this article, we revisit the damage statistics, explore how disaster memory can be turned into action, and share how SAKIGAKE JAPAN, as a disaster preparedness company, is contributing to this mission.
1. Understanding the Full Impact — Realities from Numbers and On-site Cases
Kurashiki City, Mabi District: 7,645 buildings were flooded, and over 51 people lost their lives. Torrential floodwaters resembling a tsunami swept through residential neighborhoods, destroying lives and homes.
Saka Town, Hiroshima Prefecture: Despite a monument that documented a similar landslide from 111 years prior, only half of the residents evacuated after receiving warnings. This underscores the difficulty of translating information into decisive action.
Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture: River flooding due to dam discharges caused significant damage. In this area stands a monument dedicated to victims of a similar rain disaster from 1943.
These examples emphasize the reality that “it could happen in your town,” increasing awareness and a sense of ownership in disaster preparedness.
2. Turning Disaster Monuments into Learning Sites — Educational Strategies
Memorials alone do not enhance disaster preparedness. However, when integrated into educational activities, they can become powerful tools for transmitting disaster knowledge.
- Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture: Disaster heritage markers are being utilized in elementary school evacuation education and local history research.
- Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture: Annual storytelling tours are organized, teaching participants the value of quick evacuation and secondary disaster prevention.
- VR Materials and Videos: These are increasingly used to evoke strong empathy from younger generations who have not experienced such disasters firsthand, helping shift their mindset toward preparedness.
3. From Memory to Action — Four Key Disaster Support Measures
| Area of Support | Proposed Measures |
|---|---|
| Visualization of Disaster Data | Map disaster monuments and affected locations using GIS, providing municipalities and educators with real, localized hazard maps. |
| Integrated Educational Programs | Offer tailored educational sets combining photos, survivor accounts, VR, and disaster drills. |
| Corporate Training Seminars | Deliver seminars that integrate disaster culture into corporate risk management, using real-life disaster sites for practical lessons. |
| Monument Maintenance and Event Support | Provide support for regular maintenance, event planning, and publicity that keep memories alive for the next generation. |
These steps are crucial for evolving from “knowing” to “acting.”
4. Institutional and Community Systems — Making Disaster Heritage Part of Everyday Life
For disaster memory to be sustained, it must be supported by robust systems and community cooperation. The following three fields are key:
4.1 Pre-event Drills and Realistic Training
Nighttime evacuation and elderly evacuation scenarios must be practiced. VR-based and scenario training provide effective simulations. Including disaster prevention specialists in these drills adds practical insight into shelter management.
4.2 Integrated Risk Communication
Building a unified information platform among the Meteorological Agency, municipalities, and telecom providers is essential. Linking emergency alerts to apps and automated evacuation guidance can accelerate response.
4.3 Post-disaster Community Recovery
From community centers to disaster-themed workshops and educational materials for children, continued support for community rebuilding is vital. Storytelling events and community gatherings help ensure “no one is left behind” in recovery.
These systems form the foundation for preserving disaster heritage sustainably.
5. Fusing Technology and Culture — The Role of a Disaster Prevention Company
SAKIGAKE JAPAN aims to support not just technological solutions, but also the cultural and social aspects of disaster heritage. Examples include:
- Co-developing training programs with municipalities and companies
- Supporting outreach and publicity for local monument maintenance events
- Providing technical assistance for emergency evacuation drills and VR-based exercises
Disasters tend to be forgotten and repeated. That’s why building systems today to pass on past lessons is more important than ever.
Conclusion — Heritage × Technology = Preparedness for the Future
Disaster heritage is not just the “teachings of our ancestors,” but a message to those who live in the future. By aligning this with education, training, information, and culture, we can evolve from “memory to action” and from “education to co-creation.” SAKIGAKE JAPAN is your partner in designing that future. Together with local communities, we will continue to grow disaster approaches that merge technology, education, and culture into innovation.
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