#Japan #Wakayama #Disaster Management #Hamaguchi Award #Tsunami Prevention

Applications Open for the 2025 Hamaguchi Goryo International Award

The application period for the prestigious 2025 Hamaguchi Goryo International Award has officially begun, running from April 25 to May 30, 2025. This award aims to recognize significant accomplishments by individuals and organizations, both domestically and internationally, dedicated to disaster prevention and mitigation of tsunamis and storm surges.

What is the Hamaguchi Goryo International Award?

The Hamaguchi Goryo International Award was established by the International Tsunami and Coastal Disaster Prevention Technology Promotion Committee in 2016. This initiative emerged after the United Nations General Assembly designated November 5 as “World Tsunami Awareness Day” in 2015. The award honors individuals and groups whose work has significantly contributed to tsunami disaster prevention and raised awareness about coastal safety.

As of now, 17 individuals and nine groups have received this distinguished honor. The award is named after Goryo Hamaguchi, a notable figure who exemplified extraordinary dedication during a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Wakayama Prefecture in 1854. Utilizing sheaves of rice as a beacon, he guided villagers to safety and later engaged in reconstruction efforts, showcasing remarkable leadership during this crisis.

Eligible Candidates

The award is open to individuals and organizations that have made commendable contributions through research, technical development, or local initiatives aimed at tsunami and storm surge preparedness. Potential applicants are required to be nominated by a recommender who must submit a recommendation letter.

Application Timeline

• - April 25, 2025: Application period opens
• - May 30, 2025: Application deadline (must arrive by this date)
• - June to July 2025: Review process
• - September 2025: Award recipients to be announced
• - October to November 2025: Awards ceremony

This timeline is tentative and subject to change as the committee finalizes its plans.

Additional Information

Further details about the application process and criteria can be found in the guidelines available on the Port and Airport Technology Research Institute's website. It is encouraged for prospective applicants to review the documents thoroughly to understand all requirements.

Japanese link: Hamaguchi Award Application
English link: Hamaguchi Award Nomination

Alongside the award, the committee has also launched the Hamaguchi Goryo International Essay Contest for the youth, inviting young voices to contribute to the ongoing discourse on disaster prevention.

For questions regarding the application or further inquiries, please contact:

• - Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Port Bureau:

- Kawahara & Saito
- Phone: 03-5253-8111 (internal 46752, 46763)
- Direct: 03-5253-8689

• - Japan’s Ministry for Water Management and Disaster Management:

- Watanabe & Fukuda
- Phone: 03-5253-8111 (internal 35722, 35836)
- Direct: 03-5253-8438

• - International Tsunami and Coastal Disaster Prevention Technology Promotion Committee (Secretariat):

- Nakagawa & Kawada
- Phone: 046-844-5010
- Direct: 046-844-5040

Stay tuned as we witness the essential contributions of those dedicated to minimizing the impact of tsunamis and enhancing coastal safety through commendable efforts.