Message from Project Leader
The Integrated Program for Next Generation Volcanic Research and Human Resource Development (INeVRH) was envisaged in response to the volcanic disaster at Mt. Ontake in 2014. To contribute to the expected volcanic disaster mitigation, we aim to drastically raise the level of volcanic observation research in our country and develop human resources for this research with extensive knowledge. Therefore, we believe the entire volcanic research community throughout Japan should make every effort to undertake the task. Along with our project participants, we will endeavor to deliver consistent results in ten years, at the end of the project.
Project Leader (PL): Toshitsugu Fujii
Project outline
- Under the strong leadership of the PL, we are working together with the experts in other fields to enhance cooperation and integration, as well as promoting integrated research on “observation, forecasting, and countermeasures.”
- We are forming a Consortium for Volcano Research and Human Resource Development, strengthening inter-university collaboration, and providing systematic educational programs linked to cutting-edge volcanic research.
Issues and goals
- Although the promotion of volcano research and human resources development are required in light of the disaster at Mt. Ontake, mainstream volcanic research is categorized as “observation” research. Furthermore, volcanic research integrating observation, forecasting, and countermeasures that contribute to the prevention and mitigation of disasters has not yet been performed. Additionally, the number of volcanic researchers is currently as low as approximately 80 (as of 2014).
- To advance Japan’s volcanic research, in addition to traditional observational research, we are promoting combined “observation, forecasting, and countermeasures” research by cooperating and integrating with other fields and develop human resources for volcanic research with extensive knowledge.
Profiles of Project Leader (PL) and Project Advisers (PA)
| Position | Project Leader |
|---|---|
| Name | Toshitsugu Fujii |
| Profile | 2010~: Director of Environment/Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Crisis and Environment Management Policy Institute, Specified Non-Profit Corporation (current post) 2014~: Director of Mount Fuji Research Institute, Yamanashi Prefectural Government (current post) Former Director of the Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo Former Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo. |
| Position | Chief Project Adviser (PA in charge of general management) |
|---|---|
| Name | Takashi Nishigaki |
| Main career | Former Program Manager of the Japan Science and Technology Agency, (former) Special Coordination Funds for the Promotion of Science and Technology (Strategic Funds for the Promotion of Science and Technology). |
| Position | Project Adviser on Risk Communication (PA in charge of risk communication) |
|---|---|
| Name | Naoya Sekiya |
| Main career | 2014~: Associate Professor, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research (CIDIR), Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies (III), University of Tokyo. |
About our logo
As part of our efforts to deepen communication with the public about the implementation status of the Integrated Program for Next Generation Volcanic Research and Human Resource Development, we have selected a logo and other materials.
The star in the center represents a person growing from bottom to top.
The left and right parts represent feathers. The overall design is “from the bottom to the top” and “from the inside to the outside,” to expresses “the promotion and advancement of research” throughout the logo.
Furthermore, the negative space (blank space in the center) represents a “volcano”, and the orange color is used to express positivity and enthusiasm.
