In August, 2013, the Hyogo Prefecture and Washington State celebrated the 50th anniversary of their sister-state relationship. This is the oldest formal relationship between a U.S. State and a Japanese Prefecture. More than 200 visitors from Hyogo, led by Governor Toshizo Ido, came to Washington for a series of celebratory events. This event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Hyogo Administrative Policy Studies Association (HAPSA) and The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) - Evergreen Chapter.
Seminar Overview
Earthquake Preparedness, Disaster Relief and Restoration of the Social Equilibrium:
How Do We Get There From Here?
Committed to the future success of our international discourse and friendship, the focus of the seminar was the sharing of knowledge, experience, and best practices related to disaster response and emergency preparedness by representatives of the respective sister-states.
HAPSA present details on the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 from a government and community perspective. Presentations also included prevention and preparedness efforts for future disasters.
The Washington Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program based with the Washington Department of Ecology, made a presentation on their recent response to Superstorm Sandy’s destruction in New York and New Jersey. Information on coastal cleaning activities of Tsunami rubble of the Great East Japan Earthquake was presented as well.
Review the agenda and access materials below:
Welcome & Introductory Remarks
Dr. Roy Heynderickx, President, Saint Martin’s University
Senator Karen Fraser – Welcome & Introduction of Governor Ido
Governor Toshizo Ido – Hyogo Prefecture
Mr. Jim Mullen – Seminar Facilitator, former Director of Washington State Emergency Management, Principal-EM Northwest Consulting
Dr. Matsuyo Makino – Seminar Commentator, Professor, Department of International Studies, Kansai Gaidai University
Seminar Presentations
Dr. Michiko Banba, Education Center for Disaster Reduction, University of Hyogo “Recovery Status of the Great East Japan Earthquake"(Click here to view)
Mr. Chuck Matthews, Senior Regional Solid Waste Specialist, Washington Department of Ecology “Washington State Marine Debris Planning and Response”(Click here to view)
Ms. Stephanie Jackson, Veteran and Project Coordinator, Washington Conservation Corps-Washington Department of Ecology “Overview of AmeriCorps the Washington Conservation Corps and our Veterans Initiative”(Click here to view)
Mr. Phil Hansen, Crew Supervisor, Washington Conservation Corps – Washington Department of Ecology “Tsunami Debris Clean Up” (Click here to view)
Mr. Phil Hansen, Crew Supervisor, Washington Conservation Corps – Washington Department of Ecology“Hurricane Sandy Recovery Efforts – New York & New Jersey” (Click here to view)
Mr. Masaya Shinbayashi, Municipal Affairs Division, Hyogo Prefectural Government “Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake Based on Respective Partnerships between Local Governments” (Click here to view)
Mr. Yasuo Kawawaki, International EMECS Center “The Role of Local Community in Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake” (Click here to view)
Mr. Shingo Kouchi, Senior Recovery Expert, International Recovery Platform “What's Next?: Reflecting on Lessons from Past Disasters” (Click here to view)
Mr. Kozo Arakawa, Asian Disaster Reduction Center “Prevention and Preparedness Efforts for Disaster”(Click here to view)
Mr. Akio Kawanabe, Secretary-General, Member of the Representative Steering Committee of HAPSA, and Director of the Board, Hyogo Earthquake Memorial 21st Century Research Institute “Activities of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution” (Click here to view)
Mr. John Schelling, Earthquake/Tsunami Programs Manager, Washington State Emergency Management Division “Building a More Earthquake & Tsunami Resilient Washington State” (Click here to view)
Makino & Mullen Wrap Up/Q&A & Discussion “Where do we go from here?
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For additional information or PowerPoint files of these presentations, please contact Mary Van Verst, mary.vanverst@ofm.wa.gov, (360) 902-0631
October 2013 PA Times Article: 50th Sister-State Anniversary Includes 10 Year Renewal of MOU between Evergreen Chapter and the Hyogo Administrative Policy Studies Association