ESD and Education for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) at Schools: Changes in DRR Education After Great East Japan Earthquake

Analysis of DRR Education guidelines and manuals revealed that Japanese DRR education has several unique characteristics. Firstly, prefectural boards of education have been taking initiatives in promoting DRR education in line with the guidance by MEXT. There are significant differences of DRR education in different regions in the country. Since Kanto, Tokai regions as well as Kansai region have significant risks of future earthquakes, schools in these regions are quite active in DRR education. On the other hand, schools facing Japan Sea side are generally less active since many of them recognize fewer risks of natural disasters. DRR education covers different topics in different regions and in different schools. Some covers broader topics, while others only conduct earthquake drills. After Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, DRR education has been gradually expanding to cover broader topics and becoming more systematic. Great East Japan Earthquake has accelerated such trend. Since the ability required for DRR education can be developed through ESD, linkages between DRR education and ESD should be further strengthened. Further development of DRR education can be achieved through promotion of ESD.