Japan schools adopt hands-on and VR methods for disaster prevention training

Educational institutions in Japan are implementing diverse methods to enhance disaster preparedness among students. In Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture, the Tohoku Regional Development Bureau organized an experiential disaster prevention workshop for 70 first-year junior high school students. The session focused on the reconstruction efforts following Typhoon No. 19 in 2019, allowing students to visit sand control sites and learn about recovery work through hands-on activities involving backhoes and drones.

In Miyazaki City, Kojo Elementary School collaborated with Tottori Environmental University to conduct evacuation drills using Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Using specialized goggles, sixth-grade students experienced simulated environments of damaged school buildings to practice decision-making and identify safe evacuation routes.