KOKUA Launches Innovative Disaster Preparedness Project in Kochi

Introduction

KOKUA, a disaster prevention venture based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has recently initiated an innovative project in Kurosaki Town, Kochi Prefecture, which is known for its potential for the country's largest tsunami, with a projected height of up to 34 meters due to the Nankai Trough earthquake. This project aims to merge disaster tourism with disaster gifts, fostering a new culture of disaster awareness and preparedness.

Background of the Project

Japan faces an increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, making disaster preparedness essential. Unfortunately, for many, disaster preparedness is often perceived as a critical yet postponed issue. KOKUA's mission is to create a society where individuals engage in disaster preparedness naturally. Kurosaki Town, aware of its potential tsunami threat, has embraced this challenge as an opportunity to promote advanced disaster measures and tourism. By combining Kurosaki’s forward-thinking strategies with KOKUA’s expertise, they aim to create a sustainable cultural shift in disaster awareness and behavior.

About Kurosaki Town

Kurosaki Town, located in the Hata District of Kochi Prefecture, is rich in natural beauty with its coastal proximity allowing close encounters with dolphins and whales. The town has developed a culture around fishing, particularly skipjack tuna, and the production of sun-dried salt. Alongside its cultural assets, it is also recognized for being a region where the greatest tsunami height is anticipated (34 meters). The town holds goals of zero evacuations and zero casualties by actively engaging in evacuation drills, education, and infrastructure enhancements. By seeing their situation not as a weakness but as a learning opportunity, Kurosaki has launched a disaster tourism initiative since 2019, which combines tourism with disaster education. Participants engage in programs that highlight the duality of nature's gifts and perils.

Achievements of Kurosaki Disaster Tourism

- Initiated robustly in 2019 by Kurosaki Town's tourism network.
- Over 1,000 visitors annually participate in disaster tourism activities.
- Recognized as one of the 'Green Destinations 2025 Top 100' sustainable tourism sites globally.
- Awarded as a 'Excellent Certification' by NIPPON Disaster Assets for FY2024.
- Acknowledged in the 19th Eco-Tourism Awards.
- Programs include visits to the largest tsunami evacuation tower, disaster education, interaction with local disaster organizations, and practical evacuation drills.

Details of the Collaboration

This innovative project will integrate Kurosaki Town’s advanced disaster knowledge with KOKUA's expertise in disaster products and gifts, focusing on three key areas:
1. Disaster Tourism and Gift Experiences: Participants in disaster tourism will have the opportunity to purchase disaster-related products, allowing them to make a transition from increased awareness to proactive gift-giving for loved ones as part of disaster preparedness, reinforcing the culture of preparedness.
2. Transforming Gift Catalogs into Disaster Tourism Engagement: KOKUA will include disaster tourism vouchers from Kurosaki Town in its disaster gift catalogs, thereby encouraging nationwide individuals and businesses to engage with the town's offerings.
3. Promoting Local Disaster Products Nationwide: KOKUA will feature products linked to Kurosaki's rich marine resources in its catalogue, aiming for wider distribution while innovating products that emphasize both everyday usefulness and disaster preparedness value.

About LIFEGIFT

LIFEGIFT is a unique catalog gift service that brings disaster preparedness into everyday life, offering only carefully selected disaster goods. This initiative not only aims to enhance personal awareness of disaster readiness but also promotes a habit of gifting disaster supplies among individuals. By allowing recipients to choose various items that best suit their needs, even those who have previously overlooked disaster preparedness will find it easy to start.

Message from Leadership

Yuji Hikida, COO of KOKUA, expressed his optimism about launching this project in Kurosaki Town, facing the harsh realities of potential tsunami threats by turning them into educational opportunities. He emphasized the integral connection between the project’s disaster tourism initiatives and their vision for promoting a culture of disaster engagement.

Future Developments

The project will officially launch on November 5, coinciding with 'Tsunami Disaster Prevention Day,' a date established in remembrance of the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. Moving forward, KOKUA aims to increase participation in Kurosaki’s disaster tourism and spread the culture of preparedness throughout Japan, looking towards expansions in other regions as well. KOKUA is committed to accelerating efforts towards a society where disaster preparedness is a natural part of life and aims to develop a model case for new disaster culture in collaboration with Kurosaki Town.

About KOKUA

KOKUA seeks to create a society where individuals engage naturally with disaster preparedness. Founded by members who met during volunteer efforts in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the company continues to support various disaster areas. Their services include the 'LIFEGIFT' catalog for disaster preparedness and 'pasobo', a personal disaster diagnostics tool that helps individuals find necessary supplies easily.