Institute for Disaster Reconstruction and Regeneration Research
The Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011, caused high-intensity ground shaking, a massive tsunami and a serious nuclear power plant accident, resulting in a disaster of a scale unprecedented in the history in Japan. Tohoku University is well aware that its mission as a core university based in the disaster area is to lead post-disaster reconstruction and regional regeneration. To accomplish this aim, Tohoku University established in April 2011 the Institute for Disaster Reconstruction and Regeneration Research. As a center for gathering the collective wisdom of foreign and Japanese institutions, Tohoku University has pushed forward full-scale efforts for research, education and the social contribution in conjunction with the national and local governments.
Institute for Disaster Reconstruction and Regeneration Research - 8 Projects
| Project Leader | Project Description |
|---|---|
| International Research Projects on Disaster Science Prof. Arata HIRAKAWA | As a global research center for disaster science, Tohoku University established the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS). Based on the lessons and experiences from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the IRIDes will innovate on the past disaster countermeasures and people's awareness of disaster-prevention, and create the new paradigm of the disaster management to catastrophic natural disaster. The IRIDeS has conducted the action-oriented research integrated the humanities and sciences, for example, deciphering the mechanisms of Mega earthquake and tsunami, conveying lessons from the disaster. |
| Project for the Reconstruction of Community Health Care Prof. Masayuki YAMAMOTO | Tohoku University established the Comprehensive Training Center for Community Medicine to develop medical professionals who provide local medical services and offer lifelong education to them. To fulfill these aims, the center accepts medical staffs affected by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and provides them with opportunities to receive training in advanced medicine. Further, the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization will conduct a long-term survey on the health status of residents in disaster affected areas, and compile a database from the gathered medical information of the residents with informed consent, aiming to create the foundation for genomic medicine and drug discovery research. |
| Project for Environmental Energy Prof. Kazuyuki TOHJI | Concerning the reconstruction plan for the disaster areas and the industry promotion, the perspective of energy security in disaster situations would be more important. Under the close cooperation with local communities, we will work out an environmental energy system that meets the needs of the communities. With the view to the spillover effect to the disaster-resistant progressive community planning and the advancement of green energy industries, we will contribute to the reconstruction of the Tohoku region. |
| ICT Reconstruction Project Prof. Masataka NAKAZAWA | The Great East Japan Earthquake revealed the vulnerability of our information communication technology (ICT) including the disruption of communication lines. The Research Organization of Electrical Communication (ROEC), mainly members of the Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC), was established. In collaboration with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), it aims at the formation of a center to develop and demonstrate a disaster-resistant ICT network. |
| Tohoku Marine Science Project Prof. Akihiro KIJIMA | Its aim is to scientifically unravel the influence of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on the marine environment of the coastal areas of the Tohoku region and its ecosystem, and to investigate the regeneration process from the disaster, while contributing to the reconstruction of fisheries industries and the regeneration of the communities. Tohoku University, the University of Tokyo Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI) and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) will play a central role to conduct surveys with the participation of researchers across the nation and the cooperation of local fishermen. |
| Radioactive Decontamination Project Prof. Keizo ISHII | We promote the development technology to restore the living environment contaminated by radioactive substances. In cooperation with Fukushima University and Fukushima Medical University, we will conduct technology surveys needed by the local governments. The results will be reflected in technology development. Further, we have collected organs of disposed farm and wild animals that were exposed to radiation due to the nuclear power plant accident, and set up an organ bank to measure radioactivity. We also will conduct a survey on the impact of radioactive substances to the ecosystem. |
| Regional Industries Restoration Support Project Prof. Masahiko FUJIMOTO | To continuously support the reconstruction of communities and industries in the Tohoku region, we will propose region-specific policies regarding society and economy, and disseminate information to solve problems. Further, the Regional Innovative Producer School was opened focusing on the executives of local companies and next generation managers. The school will develop innovative producers who can contribute to the reconstruction of regional industries and produce the business innovations which should lead to employment. |
| Industry-University Collaboration Development Project for Reconstruction Executive Vice President Hiroshi KAZUI | Tohoku University will develop projects making use of its intellectual resources to support the clustering of automobile-related industries and the advanced electronic machine industry and to create global industrial areas. One of these projects is the "Tohoku University Technological Seeds & Needs Matching Project" that includes provision of free public access to the university's devices, and "Mono-zukuri(product manufacturing) Individual Counseling Meetings" in cooperation with financial institutions, support organizations, and large manufactures of automobiles and advanced electronic machinery. |
Reconstruction Action 100+
Reconstruction Action 100+ is the generic name of more than 100 reconstruction support activities in which Tohoku University's faculty members work on a voluntary basis. Institute for Disaster Reconstruction and Regeneration Research supports for those activities, and gathers and disseminates information on the projects.