Japan is vulnerable to various natural disasters. In the last decade, the country has experienced countless earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and other natural hazards. Thankfully, disaster mitigation in Japan is highly advanced.
This country uses various technologies to manage disaster risk. In addition, the residents are well-trained and well-prepared for multiple disasters. Consequently, this nation can effectively minimize the loss of lives and property. Therefore, Japan’s disaster mitigation system is an excellent example for other countries.
Technologies Used in Disaster Mitigation in Japan
Disaster prevention in Japan relies heavily on various technologies. Most of them are extremely advanced. However, it takes a long process for this country to invent these technologies.
Japan’s government encouraged scientists and engineers to research the technical and scientific aspects of disaster prevention to discover cutting-edge technologies to mitigate disasters. Therefore, the country can utilize the following technologies in its disaster mitigation system.
Observation Networks
Japan uses various sensors to observe weather-related phenomena and seismic activities. For example, this country utilizes numerous seismometers in its volcano, earthquake, and tsunami observation networks.
Seismometers can accurately monitor tectonic movements or volcanic activities. This nation also uses flood sensors to observe water levels. Other technologies used in its disaster monitoring are SAR satellites, which can rapidly acquire wide-area data.
Early Warning System
Japan’s early warning system is one of the best in the world. It consists of J-Alert and DIMS. The former is an automated public warning system, which automatically disseminates disaster alerts through various channels during an extreme event.
Meanwhile, DIMS (Disaster Information Management System) is for authorities. This system provides them with data on disaster scale predictions and early warnings. This system helps the government to take action to manage the risks of an upcoming disaster.
Disaster Response Technologies
Disaster mitigation in Japan utilizes cutting-edge disaster response technologies, e.g., drones and rescue robots. This country has developed drones that detect people during rescue operations. These drones use thermal infrared imaging to detect people.
This technology will project them as three-dimensional images. Moreover, Japan also utilizes rescue robots during rescue operations. These robots enter and investigate hazardous sites, so rescue teams do not need to endanger their lives investigating those sites.
Technologies to Predict Sudden Natural Hazards
One of the disaster mitigation examples in Japan is predicting sudden natural hazards, such as guerilla rainstorms and tsunamis, using particular technologies. Guerilla rainstorms are difficult to predict. However, the use of radar helps the government accurately predict this extreme weather.
Moreover, this country uses technology developed by Tohoku University to calculate the height and destruction level of a tsunami and disseminate tsunami alerts within 30 minutes after the earthquake. Therefore, people in the affected areas can quickly evacuate to higher places.
Seismic Isolation
Another technology used in disaster prevention in Japan is seismic isolation. Earthquakes are a common natural hazard in this country, so the government created strict rules for building constructions.
Within these rules, construction companies will find building codes or architectural techniques to construct earthquake-resistant buildings. Therefore, these buildings will not collapse when a strong earthquake strikes the country.
Other Strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan
Aside from relying on the technologies above, Japan also applies various strategies to mitigate disasters. Below are some of them.
The Tokyo government distributed a disaster guidebook to every household. This book is also available on Tokyo’s government’s official website. This guidebook informs people on what to do during an earthquake.
Japan annually conducts disaster training drills. Therefore, children and adults are well-prepared and well-trained to face various extreme events, such as tsunamis, earthquakes, fires, and other hazards.
School curriculums of all levels in Japan discuss earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and other natural hazards. The curriculum also trains children to take ideal action for each of these extreme events.
The Importance of Cell Broadcast in Communicating Disaster Alerts
Time is an essential factor in managing disaster risks. Therefore, Japan uses effective and efficient communication methods to inform people about a disaster.
One of the efficient communication methods in Japan’s early warning system is cell broadcasting. This country chose this tool because it offers many advantages.
A cell broadcast system is resilient and reliable because it doesn’t require cellular services or the internet.
This tool allows authorities to send alerts to millions of people within seconds.
The cell broadcast is affordable.
Disaster mitigation in Japan is an excellent example for other countries. However, technologies used in this mitigation may be too expensive for them. As a start, they can integrate the cell broadcast into their systems. The governments of other countries can purchase cell broadcasters on smsbroadcaster.com.
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