The 12th Japan-Italy Conference on Sediment Disaster Prevention Technology
Online Conference
November 24, 2021
The Conference was originally scheduled to run in Japan in 2020, but was postponed by one year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and held online this year.
Researchers and experts of the following organizations from both countries participated in the conference.
Japanese organizations: Sabo (Erosion and Sediment Control) Department of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); Sabo Department of the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM); Erosion and Sediment Control Research Group of the Public Works Research Institute (PWRI); University of Tsukuba; the International Sabo Association
Italian organizations: the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection of the Italian National Research Council (CNR-IRPI); Major Risk National Committee; the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV)
Mr. Mikami, Director General of the Sabo Department of MLIT delivered a keynote speech titled “Outline and Strategy of Sediment Disaster Risk Management,” explaining the preparedness for severe sediment disasters due to climate change, maintenance of sabo facilities, sediment disaster countermeasures in volcanic regions, and various initiatives based on Japan’s. Following this, Mr. Scarascia Mugnozza Gabriele, Chair of the Major Risk National Committee, introduced the Italian national review system for complex disasters such as floods and sediment disasters, and raised the issue of further strengthening the warning system through the use of machine learning.
After the keynote speeches, participants from both countries reported on their latest research on three themes common to both countries: sediment disaster prevention measures in light of the effects of climate change, maintenance and management of sabo facilities, and volcanic sabo control measures, followed by an exchange of opinions. Participants also shared information about the joint research agreement between the University of Tsukuba and CNR-IRPI.
The conference provided an important opportunity to exchange views and reaffirm that natural disasters caused by climate change are a common issue worldwide, and that volcanic countermeasures, including lava flow countermeasures, are a common issue in both countries. It also allowed participants to share the importance of promoting both hard and soft measures to deal with these issues.
At the end of the conference, the two countries concluded the Minutes of Meeting and agreed to continue discussions on sediment disaster prevention administration, research, and technology, and to hold the next conference in Japan in 2023.
Mr. Mikami, Director General of the Sabo Department of MLIT, delivers opening address
Mr. Moramarco, Director of Research at CNR-IRPI, delivers opening address
Dr. Neri at INGV answers questions about lava flow countermeasures
Associate Professor Uchida of Tsukuba University explains the joint research agreement
MoM conclusion (Japanese participants)