*Yuko Matsunari1, Yasuhiro Ishimine2, Tatsuo Takama3, Hideaki Yoshihara4, Tsuyoshi Nakatani1, kaori Kaimoto5, Keiko Imamura1, Mitsuhito Sato4, Naoyuki Hironiwa6
(1.Kagoshima University, 2.Mount Fuji Research Institute, Yamanashi Prefectural Government, 3.Kagoshima prefecture Hospital , 4.Kagoshima City Hospital , 5.Kagoshima Women's College, 6.Minami-Nippon Shimbun)
Keywords:Disaster prevention , education , volcano , shelter
The purpose of this research is to develop the Sakurajima version of HUG (an acronym for hinanzyo unei game, a game for managing evacuation shelters) as a part of the educational program for disaster prevention related to Sakurajima’s volcanic disasters. Residents will understand the need for self-help and mutual assistance in the event of a disaster by experiencing the Sakurajima version of the evacuation center management game. The aim is to take action to gain self-help in disasters and to strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation measures in the region. At the Earthquake and Volcano Disaster Prevention Center of Kagoshima University, a working group was established in 2018 and started its activities. It was predicted that it would have a great impact on people's lives and livelihoods. In a volcanic disaster, Kagoshima City would be isolated due to the effects of ash- fall. The effects of volcanic disaster would be prolonged. It was concluded that living in a shelter would be inevitable. Then, measures residents should take were examined. After some consideration, it was thought that it was necessary to expand disaster prevention and disaster mitigation awareness activities for residents by having them experience the evacuation center (HUG) game developed by Shizuoka Prefecture. Consequently, the Sakurajima version of the evacuation center management game was developed. This shelter game is a game that simulates how to respond to various events that occur in the shelter. Currently, a prototype version of this Sakurajima evacuation center management game has been completed. This prototype version allows people in local governments and related occupations involved in disasters to gain knowledge and ways to respond during volcanic disasters. However, since the ultimate goal of this research project is to improve disaster prevention literacy for volcanic disasters of local residents, further activities are needed. Therefore, in order to spread disaster prevention literacy to the general public, elementary school students, and the elderly, teaching material which can be grasped visually and intuitively are needed. Thus, a card game with commentary was developed, which when played and completed, can lead to disaster prevention awareness. A prototype version of the Sakurajima evacuation center management game has been completed. First, we asked general participants to play the game during the Sakurajima evacuation drill, which is held once a year. We also recruited elementary and junior high school students who are interested in disasters and disaster prevention. We also asked the children who applied to play the game and observe it. Then, we asked for opinions on whether there were any words that they did not understand or if they had any problems. We also asked the elementary and junior high school teachers for their opinions on possible problems. Thus, the content was revised and led to the completed version of the modified Sakurajima evacuation center management game. The elementary school students were able to enjoy playing games and to increase their level of interest in disasters. The junior high school students gained confidence in leadership skills by explaining the game and taking care of the elementary school students. There is a danger that Sakurajima may erupt on the same scale as that of the Taisho eruption. By using this game, information about disaster prevention and mitigation can be disseminated to local residents in cities and the prefecture. This will raise awareness not only in volcanic disasters but also in other kinds of disasters. This game has not been developed exclusively for Sakurajima but also for other volcanic disasters. For example, possibility of a volcanic disaster on Mt. Fuji is not zero. Thus, measures to prevent and mitigate volcanic disasters should be a topic priority in a volcanic country like Japan.