Disaster Prevention Advisor Takehiko Yamamura is the Director of the Disaster Prevention System Institute. Mr. Yamamura is tirelessly active in efforts to prevent or minimise harm from major earthquakes and other natural disasters, as well as accidents and terrorist attacks.
Name: Takehiko Yamamura
Position: Director, Disaster Prevention System Institute (established October 1964)
Business address: 7-17-12-307 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan
Tel: 81-3-5771-6338・Fax: 81-3-5771-6339　
yamamura@bo-sai.co.jp（ Japanese language ）

Became a disaster adviser after participating in volunteer activities as a university student in the wake of the 1964 Niigata earthquake. Have carried out inspections of over 150 disaster sites, including those of earthquakes, tsunamis, eruptions, landslides, terrorist activity, and accidents. Involved in rescue and inspection work for the Great Hanshin earthquake, arriving on the scene within two hours of the quake. Also involved in awareness raising for disaster prevention, human rights protection, and safe town planning as a disaster management advisor to industries and local bodies, and through lecturing and writing

Awards: Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency Award

Advocacy and promotional activities: "Kinjyo no Seishin" (Community Spirit), "Bosai Tonarigumi" (Neighborhood Watch).

Academic society membership: Japan Society for Disaster Information Studies, Institute of Social Safety Science

Current position: Director, Disaster Prevention System Institute

Main onsite inspection activities

2012 Uji City flooding, Kyoto

2012 Northern Kyushu flooding

2012 Ibaraki, Tochigi tornado

2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

2011 Christchurch earthquake, New Zealand

2011 Shinmoedake eruption

2010 Amami Island flooding

2010 Chile Earthquake

2009 Sumatra Earthquake

2009 Typhoon Etau flooding in Sayo, Hyogo

2009 Hofu City flooding, Yamaguchi

2009 Tatebayashi tornado, Gunma

2009 Black Saturday bushfires, Australia

2008 Video parlor fire, Osaka

2008 Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku earthquake

2008 Sichuan earthquake, China

2007 Chuetsu offshore earthquake

2007 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

2007 Peru earthquake

2005 Kashmir earthquake, Pakistan

2005 Amagasaki train crash, Hyogo

2004 Sumatra–Andaman earthquake

2004 Chuetsu earthquake, Niigata

2003 Bam earthquake, Iran

2001 September 11 attacks

2001 Myojo 56 building fire, Kabukicho, Shinjuku

2000 Tokai flooding

2001 Geiyo earthquake, Hiroshima

2000 Western Tottori Prefecture earthquake

2000 Miyake-jima eruption

1999 921 earthquake, Taiwan

1995 Great Hanshin earthquake

1995 Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway

1994 Hokkaido Eastern Offing earthquake

1994 Northridge earthquake, Los Angeles

1993 Latur earthquake, India

1993 Southwest-off Hokkaido earthquake

1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, San Francisco

1986 Mt Mihara eruption

1982 Nagasaki flooding and landslide

1982 Hotel New Japan fire, Tokyo

1980 Prince Hotel Kawaji Fire, Tochigi

1973 Taiyo Department Store fire, Kumamoto

1972 Sennichi Department Store Building fire, Osaka

1968 Tokachi Offing earthquake

1964 Niigata earthquake

Main positions (including successive positions)

Member of the Fire Service Fire Drill Committee

Chairman of the Research and Planning Committee

Member of the Disaster Protection and Evacuation Study Group

Chairman of the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Committee

Major publications

Kinjyo no Seishin Chikakuno Hitoga Chikakuno Hitowo Tasukeru Bousai Tonarigumi ("Community Spirit: Mutual Help through Neighborhood Watch")

Bousai Kikikanri no Saitenken Shinkausuru BCP ("The Development of BCP: Major Aspects of Disaster Management"), Kinzai Publishing

Mekara Uroko no Bousai Shinjyoshiki ("Disaster Preparedness: What You Should Know"), Gyosei Publishing

Kigyou Bousai Kikikanri Manyuaru no Tsukurikata ("Creating Industrial Disaster and Crisis Management Manuals"), Kinzai Publishing

Hitoha Mina Jibundakeha Shinanaito Omotteiru ("No One Thinks They’ll Die"), Takarajima Publishing

Major media appearances

NHK TV Newswatch 9

TBS TV Asa Zuba, Hiruobi

Nihon TV Sukkiri

Fuji TV Shinhodo 2001, Super News, News Japan

TV Asahi "Hodo Station"

BBC TV

CNN TV

Le Monde

New York Times