IISEE Newsletter

Oct 2, 2020 International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering BRI Japan

Number 185 1 Tachihara Tsukuba Japan 305-0802 tel+81-29-879-0678 facsim+81-29-864-6777

In This Issue
• 16 Participants 16 Participants Completed the 2019-2020 Training
Completed the 2019-
2020 Training
Course
Course By Mr. Takahiro Yamada Head of Administration Division, IISEE
• GRIPS Online
Graduation On Sep 14, we had a closing
Ceremony ceremony of the training courses in
• Address in Reply on Seismology, Earthquake
Behalf of All the Engineering, and Tsunami Disaster
Participants Mitigation, which started on Oct 2,
last year.
• Courtesy Call on the
MLIT Minister 16 participants from 12 countries
(Bangladesh(1), Bhutan(1), Chile(1),
• Reports on Kansai Costa Rica(2), El Salvador(1),
and Kumamoto Ms. Akiko ODA, Deputy Director
Indonesia(2), Mexico(1), General, Tsukuba Center, JICA
Study Trip
Mongolia(2), Myanmar(1), Nepal(1),
Philippines(2), and Timor-Leste(1)
joined the training course. In the
ceremony, the representative of
participants received a certificate of
completion and Post Graduate
Diplomas. After that, all of the
participants were awarded.

During the training period, the

participants were divided into three Dr. Mitsumasa MIDORIKAWA,
President of BRI
courses, Seismology, Earthquake
Engineering, and Tsunami Disaster
Mitigation, and have attended
specialized lectures considering their
field. They summarized the research
and solutions for the problems in
their countries.

In the closing ceremony, the

Director of Disaster Management
Policy Program of GRIPS, Mr. Mr. Masaru SUGAHARA,
Director of Disaster Management
Sugahara, who joined remotely, Policy (DMP) Program, GRIPS
 announced 2 participants of the best research award. Dr. Azuhata, the
director of IISEE, announced 4 participants of the IISEE award.

Lastly, Mr. Pema from Bhutan made an address in reply to

congratulatory speeches.
We wish their success in their country using the knowledge from this
training course and the network of the pepple.

IISEE Net and

Training
IISEENET
IISEE-UNESCO Lecture
Note
Presentation of Certificate Presentation of Diploma
IISEE E-learning Mr. OCTANTYO Ardian Yudhi Mr. BISWAS Rajib Kanti
Synopsis Database from Indonesia, S course from Bangladeshu, E course
Bulletin Database

Best research award, Mr. Best research award, Mr. RAMOS

GONZALEZ ILAMA Gino Steven HERNANDEZ William Alexander
from Costa Rica, S course from El Salvador, E course
Earthquakes
The 2011 off the Pacific
coast of Tohoku
Earthquake
Reports of Recent
Earthquakes
Utsu Catalog
Earthquake Catalog

IISEE Director’s Award IISEE Director’s Award

Ms. CHAVARRIA ESQUIVEL Mr. DALAIJARGAL Lkhagvadorj
Nathalie Yoliana from Mongolia, S course
from Costa Rica, S course
 IISEE Director’s Award IISEE Director’s Award
Mr. VARMA Amit Kumar Mr. NUROKHIM Arif
from Nepal, E course from Indonesia, T course

Enjoy, Now

GRIPS Online Graduation Ceremony

By Mr. Takahiro Yamada Head of Administration Division, IISEE

With the collaboration of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
(GRIPS), IISEE participants are awarded the degrees of Master of Disaster
Management when they complete a one-year training course.
This year, due to the infection control measures, GRIPS conducted an online
ceremony.
On Sep 15, Eleven of the IISEE participants who have joined the training
course remotely attended the graduation ceremony held at GRIPS.
In closing the 2019-2020 IISEE training course, we would like to express
our sincere gratitude to all the people involved for their cooperation. Thank
you very much.
 Online Graduation Ceremony

Call for Papers Address in Reply on Behalf of All the Participants

IISEE Bulletin is now Mr. Pema From Bhutan Earthquake Engineering course
accepting submissions
of papers for the seis- Why are we here today? Sixteen participants from twelve countries.
mology, earthquake Traveling miles away from family and friends. This is because: “We have
engineering, and the same vision for better tomorrow and share a common interest in
tsunami. Developing building a resilient and sustainable society using science and technology.
countries are targeted, We are here to learn from the best of the world, Japan, the leading
but are not limited.
country in disaster management. Here we can see how the theories are
Your original papers will
put into real practice”. Our journey has not been easy yet a fulfilling
be reviewed by the
editorial members and one. A smooth sea never made a great sailor.
some experts.
NO submission fee is Dr. Mitsumasa Midorikawa, President of Building Research Institute,
needed. Professor Masaru Sugahara, Program Director of the Disaster
Try to challenge! Management Policy Program of
the National Graduate Institute
for Policy Studies, Mr. Takeshi
Watanabe, General Director of
JICA Tsukuba International
Center, Dr. Tatsuya Azuhata,
Director of International
Institute of Seismology and
Earthquake Engineering,
Ladies and gentlemen, A very
good morning to you all.

It is indeed a great honor and Mr. Pema From Bhutan

privilege to stand here in front Earthquake Engineering course
of this august gathering in this
auspicious day and say these closing words. Today is the day to rejoice
and be proud of our achievements made thus far but let us not be
complacent. Remember, success is a journey, not a destination.

Having said this, without your blessings, my dear senseis’, we would not
have seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for being kind
and patient. This master’s course was designed to be very practical. It
ensures that we are adequately exposed to the new developments in
seismology, earthquake engineering, and tsunami disaster mitigation.
From a series of lectures to practical experimentations works,
intertwined with memorable field visits, we are not only equipped with
the skills and knowledge but learned about the diverse and rich culture
of Japan. We were able to re-live the past tragic disasters, but not
limited to, the Great Hanshin Awaji and Great East Japan earthquakes,
which were marvelously preserved to date. Seeing is believing, and
learning through firsthand experience will undoubtedly improve how we
now view great disasters and contribute to society with clear
perspectives.

It was a very intensive course, and I am sure my friend agrees that we

were always racing against time to complete our tasks. However, seeing
the enthusiasm of our senseis’, still guiding us, nothing was impossible.
You believed in us; thus, we were able to stand with dignity. Words can
neither qualify nor quantify how helpful your guidance and advice has
been. We shall remain forever grateful for your support! More
importantly, we now join the cohort of expertise that IISEE/ BRI has
nurtured since the 1960s. We want to assure our sensei that your
efforts will not be put to vain. To the staffs of IISEE, I cannot imagine a
day at IISEE without your unweaving support. You have ensured that
the training course runs smoothly without any hindrance. We would like
to share our achievements with you.

We could focus on our study, living here without worrying, that too
through this pandemic COVID-19; all thanks to the continued support
and guidance from JICA. You have ensured that we live free from
anxiety and all we need to do is focus on our ambition to learn. Thank
you for making our stay in Japan safe and memorable. Disasters know
no boundaries, and the only practical solution is through international
collaboration and efforts. JICA’s commitment and leadership to
knowledge sharing with the creation of a self-less environment for a
better future of the people around the globe is an exemplary example.
We look forward to your continued guidance and assistance. Reflecting
to JICA, please remember to avoid 3C’s – Closed spaces, Crowded
places, and Close-contact setting, in welcoming the new normal.

For my colleagues, I have seen all of your work very hard, and your zest
for learning is impeccable. Please continue to learn and be a good
human being as you all are. I learned the value of true friendship and
the spirit of teamwork. Thank you for everything.

Truth-be-told, I have never felt this level of excitement to return to my

country and start acting on our action plans, which have developed as
part of this master’s course. Let us work together for a better tomorrow.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and a safe journey back
home.

Thank you and Tashi Delek.

Contact Us Courtesy Call on the MLIT Minister
The IISEE Newsletter is
By Mr. Takahiro Yamada Head of Administration Division, IISEE
intended to act as a go-
between for IISEE and On Sep 8, IISEE participants made a courtesy call on Mr. Kazuyoshi
ex-participants. Akaba, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.
To prevent infection spread, three representatives from Costa Rica,
We encourage you to
contribute a report and Indonesia, and Nepal visited representing 16 participants from 12
an article to this news- countries. The rest of the other participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan,
letter. Please let us Chile, Costa Rica,
know your current El Salvador,
activities in your Indonesia,
countries. Mexico, Mongolia,
We also welcome your Myanmar,
co-workers and friends Philippines, and
to register our mailing Timor-Leste
list. joined from
[email protected] Tsukuba
remotely.
Minister Akaba
introduced his
ideas of
earthquake disaster prevention measures and countermeasure examples
in Japan based on the self-experience of the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake.

He encouraged the participants to use what the participants have

learned in this training to become a leader in earthquake disaster
prevention measures in their home countries and work as a bridge with
Japan in the future.

Representing IISEE participants, Ms. CHAVARRIA ESQUIVEL Nathalie

Yoliana from Costa Rica, expressed her gratitude for supporting to
developing countries
through the venerable
IISEE training course.
She stated that all the
participants will improve
disaster response
capacity back home and
keep passion to prove
the greatness of what
thay had learned in this
country.

Finally, this year’s

courtesy call became a
hybrid one from other places, Tokyo and Tsukuba via the internet.
The group photo was a different style, but wonderful one.
I hope this opportunity of the visit encourages them to take important
roles for the future of their home counties.
To change
registered
e-mail address
Please contact us when
you have adjusted your
e-mail address to
receive
IISEEnewsletter:
[email protected]
p

Minister Akaba with 2019-20 participants

URL of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism：

https://www.mlit.go.jp/page/kanbo01_hy_007606.html
URL of Building Research Institute：
https://www.kenken.go.jp/english/award/20200910.html

Reports on Kansai and Kumamoto Study Trip

Back Numbers (1)Ms. LKHAGVA Dagzinmaa from
Mongolia, Seismology course
http://iisee.kenken.go.jp/
nldb/
The aim of our four days study trip, which took
place from 19th August to 22th August in
2020, was an exposure to the Great Hanshin
Awaji earthquake disaster, also called Kobe
earthquake (on January 17, 1995, at 05:46:53
JST (January 16 at 20:46:53 UTC) in the
southern part of Hyōgo Prefecture) disaster
areas.
The first day of the trip started with the observation tour of Honryu-Ji
temple refurbishment work, it is the oldest temple in the Shijo Omiya
area of Kyoto. We have observed every detailed process of heritage
recovery work. More else, on this day, we had a chance to visit the
Golden Pavilion, one of the main tourist attractions in Japan.
The second day of the trip mostly concentrated on the lessons learned
from the Kobe earthquake. With our visit to Disaster Reduction and
Human Renovation Institution, we watched some simulation and
documentaries of the whole experience of earthquakes.
We have finished the second day of the trip with a visit to the Nojima
Fault Preservative Museum. An exhibition and 4D simulations in the
museum gave us a clear idea about the disaster condition and geological
features. One of the exciting parts was the tour of the longest
suspension bridge in the World named Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and its
exhibition center.
The following days of the trip continued in the Kumamoto area, and the
most impressive part was the Aso Mount area and Aso Volcano with Aso
caldera, which is the second-largest caldera in Japan.
This four days study trip
to Kansai and
Kumamoto district was
an inspiring activity to
enhance our
understanding of
disaster mitigation
programs. We have
broadened our
knowledge of natural
disaster as earthquakes
and discovered many
interesting places at the
same time. It made me
realize the hardships the the observation tour of Honryu-Ji temple
people suffering from refurbishment work
natural disasters, go
through and learn the
importance of preparation and prevention for the life of the citizens. The
exhibitions and simulations at the museums helped to catch a clear idea
about the disaster condition and geological features for the senses in a
more realistic way. From the selected observation points at Aso mount,
we have noticed a characteristic of the landscape to consider the
relationship between the geological condition and seismic activity in a
more conscious way.

Collapse Slope Recovery site in Aso Ohashi area

URL of Honryu-Ji temple refurbishment work(Japanese):

http://www.hokkeshu.jp/news/repairwork.html
URL of Countermeasures of Slope in Aso Ohashi area(Japanese):
http://www.qsr.mlit.go.jp/kumamoto_r/erosion.html
(2)Mr. NADIMPALLY Bryan from Philippines, Seismology course
Reliving the effect of earthquakes in southern Japan through the eyes
and voices of the Japanese people and learning from the
countermeasures

A study in seismology would never be complete

without seeing the great strides taken by Japan
in preserving and engraving the memories of
past earthquakes upon museum walls or
exhibits. But what truly amazes me is how
Japan learns from failure and takes measures
to thwart severe damage resulting from the
inevitability of earthquakes. To understand we
travelled to the south of Japan, a region whose
devastation caused by earthquakes is matched
only by its resilience to earthquakes in terms of
technological milestones and imparting lessons
learned from previous disasters.
The Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway and Aso Ohashi Bridge stand as
testament to how dedicated Japan is to molding a secure future for
generations to come. The use of techniques such as PC Rigid-Frame
Bridge and unmanned i-Construction technology come to the fore when
revisiting lectures delivered by Mr. Hidetsugu Ikeda and senseis from
the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructre, Tranport
and Tourism (MLIT). Also
the comprehensive
lecture given by
Hayashida sensei was
extremely helpful in
understanding volcanoes
and the formation of Aso
volcano in particular.
For people who have
experienced tragedies
the memories of past
disasters will forever be Preservation of fault line at Nojima fault
etched into their minds preservation museum
but for future
generations it is but tales
handed down from elders. Evidence and tangible materials are what
allow future generations to learn from and understand what happened in
the past without having to endure the traumatic experience. Akashi
Kaikyo museum and Nojima fault museum are such places where future
generations of Japanese and foreign origin can bear witness to the
events that transpired after the occurrence of earthquakes. Not only in
the hopes of creating more resilient and safer communities but also
allowing people to heal by remembering that their suffering and sacrifice
has passed but will never be forgotten.

URL of Nojima fault preservation museum

http://nojima-danso.co.jp/nojima.html
(3)Mr. BISWAS Rajib Kanti from Bangladesh, Earthquake
Engineering course
At first, I want to say thank you to the
authority of International Institute of
Seismology and Earthquake Engineering
(IISEE), BRI, JICA for the arrangement of
four days long study trip to Kyoto, Kobe, and
Kumamoto with taking extreme precautions
for not having infected by Covid-19.
After reaching Kyoto on 19th August, we
visited Honryu-ji Temple to observe the
refurbishment work. I was amused to see
how they have tried to preserve the old
elements of the structure and to use the
ancient method for inserting the new
elements. After that, we went to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), whose top
two floors are covered in golden leaf, and enjoyed the environment
around the place.

The next day in the morning, we went to Disaster Reduction and Human
Renovation Institution. I learned the experiences & lessons from the
Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the process of reconstruction of
the city.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

After that, we moved to the place of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge exhibition
center. Here, I learned the construction procedure of the Akashi Kaikyo
Bridge and the materials used for the construction. I was pleased to see
the 40 m long 1/100 scale model of the bridge.
Then, our next destination was the Nojima Fault Preservation Museum
to observe the exposed surface fault of the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake. Here, I learned what happened in this disastrous event.
In the next two days, we visited the disaster area of Aso, the collapse
slope recovery site in the Aso Ohashi area, Kumamoto Castle, and
Mount Aso area. We observed the process of slope recovery site, the
construction procedure of Aso bridge, the reconstruction procedure of
Kumamoto Castle, and the volcanic mountain Aso.
It was an excellent opportunity for us to visit those kinds of places by
which we could learn not only the lessons from the natural disasters that
the Japanese people faced but also the preparedness for next the
natural disasters.
URL of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/english/bridgeworld/index.html

(4)Mr. OROPEL Joseph Christopher from Philippines, Earthquake

Engineering course

The participants stayed in Kobe City for the first

two days while studying the effects of the 1995
Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake. In the
remaining two days, they stayed in Kumamoto
City and studied the impact of the 2016
Kumamoto Earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
These earthquakes had unique challenges from
each other. They were an excellent opportunity
to learn from experts who dealt with the
challenges in disaster mitigation and response.
There were many locations covered during the study trip that I learned
so much; however, the sites that struck me the most were the Disaster
Reduction and Human Renovation Institution and the Akashi-Kaikyo
Ohashi. The memoirs from the 1995
Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake
survivors reminded us how
important our responsibility as
earthquake engineers to safeguard
the lives of the countless members
of our community.
As our time in Japan is slowly
setting, I believe this is an excellent
opportunity to reflect on past
experiences and the learnings we
had from the past year to focus our
attention on our home country
where we can be an instrument to
help contribute towards life
preservation. We hold ourselves Memoirs from Earthquake
accountable for the countless lives Survivors
we can protect from the structures
that we continue to use daily.
The other location that had a significant impact on me was the visit to
the famous Akashi-Kaikyo Ohashi. It has been a long time since I first
learned about the bridge, and finally seeing it in person was one of my
favorite memories in Japan. It has stood as a hallmark structure that
showcases the best technology in Japan regarding bridge infrastructure.

The trip was successful as most of the locations were covered in the
program despite hindrances from COVID-19. I applaud the efforts of
JICA and IISEE for conducting the program under the looming health
concerns.
URL of Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institute:
http://www.dri.ne.jp/en

(5)Mr. NUROKHIM Arif from Indonesia, Tsunami Disaster

Mitigation course
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT AND STUDY

As part of the course, we carry out study trips to

other parts of Japan. To be able to learn about
the culture and traditions of Japanese society.
This time is heading towards the west of Japan,
namely, Kyoto, Kobe, to the Kumamoto area.

In Kyoto, we reminisce about the historical

buildings at Honryuji temple and Kinkakuji
temple. It is awe-inspiring that a building that is
hundreds of years old still stands majestically as
a witness to Japanese society's splendor. The
traditional techniques used by the community at
that time were very capable of being developed as the basis for
buildings today.

Furthermore, in Wakayama, we learned a story about the heroism of a

Goryo Hamaguchi when a devastating tsunami hit the area. Inamura no
hi, a tale of Hamaguchi's intelligence in disaster preparedness. An
initiative to burn "Inamura" (rice sheaves), which the community used
as an evacuation route from the waves of the tsunami that hit at that
time. Prepare ourselves from disaster by learning from people who have
been through it. The essential and memorable lessons, don't forget the
history of social life and the tragedy because the nature of the
catastrophe will happen again. The historical record is vital for us to
learn how an event occurred in the past, be it in the form of literature,
monuments, museums, and others.
Finally, feast on the eyes of the green mountains in a giant caldera, Aso
volcano. An incredible view, a peaceful atmosphere, and a fantastic
experience during the
trip.
And finally I would like
to express my deepest
gratitude to BRI, IISEE
and JICA staff, and
people guided us at the
site for this
unforgettable
experiences.

Inamura in Wakayama
 Nojima fault preservation museum

Kumamoto Castle

URL of Inamura-no-Hi no Yakata, Hamaguchi Goryou Archives Tsunami

Educational Center:
https://www.town.hirogawa.wakayama.jp/inamuranohi/english/

URL of Kumamoto Castle

https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/en/