#Japan #Okayama #Disaster Preparedness #Okayama University #Mie University

Overview of Disaster Preparedness Activities at Okayama University Hospital

On July 25, 2025, Okayama University Hospital’s Pharmacy Department, based in Okayama City, held a web-based disaster preparedness seminar in collaboration with Mie University Hospital. During the seminar, participants shared their approaches to disaster response and discussed the challenges they face in this area. Participants learned about various initiatives including the management of emergency contacts, the operation of action cards, and strategies for ensuring the appropriate inventory of pharmaceuticals. The discussions were informative and fruitful, contributing to a shared understanding of best practices.

On September 19, 2025, in-house disaster drills were conducted at Okayama University Hospital, simulating the effects of a potential Nankai Trough earthquake. The drill involved each department reporting the damage to the disaster response headquarters. Shohei Onozawa, a pharmacist, took on the role of coordinator, while Naohiro Iwata, the chief pharmacist, participated as a player in the exercise.

Reflections from Participants

• - Comment from Shohei Onozawa:

As a coordinator, I was responsible for gathering information from various departments to relay back to the headquarters. This process highlighted the difficulty of conveying swift and accurate information during an actual disaster. From my position, I was able to evaluate my department's preparedness objectively, identifying areas where we still need to improve. The training reinforced the importance of being well-prepared for emergencies and emphasized our roles and challenges. Going forward, I am committed to building a systematic approach which minimizes confusion during disasters, through continuous training.

• - Comment from Naohiro Iwata:

I was tasked with tracking the status within the pharmacy department and communicating to the headquarters. Various issues were expected to arise across our eleven departments, and the premise of having many individuals at the response headquarters made rapid information sharing quite challenging. This drill has reassured me of the necessity of maintaining awareness of disaster responses in our daily operations. Our department conducted its own safety training sessions, which successfully raised the awareness of disaster preparedness among all members. Support for the initiatives by Okayama University, noted as a distinctive research university and a regional hub, continues to be essential.

The details of this seminar and drill were publicly announced by Okayama University Hospital on September 30, 2025.

Additional Information

Participants and Collaborators

The collaboration between Mie University Hospital and Okayama University Hospital was notable, as both institutions are dedicated to improving disaster response measures.

• - Okayama University Hospital:

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• - Okayama University Pharmacy Department:

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• - Mie University Hospital Pharmacy Department:

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For any inquiries, please contact Okayama University Hospital's Pharmacy Department. We continue to uphold our commitment to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering innovation relevant to the future of our society, establishing Okayama University as a leader in research collaboration.