Earthquake Awareness
Interview with Moriwaki - Earthquake Awareness
Turkey is located in one of the world’s most active earthquake zones. Raising awareness and making necessary preparations as a society are of vital importance.
Japanese architect and civil engineer Moriwaki, born in 1955, came to Turkey in 1990. He initially worked on an 18-story building project in Bahçeşehir, followed by projects at YKK in Çerkezköy and Honda in Adapazarı. After the 2011 Japan and Van earthquakes, he began organizing seminars in all 81 provinces of Turkey to raise earthquake awareness. He has also given seminars at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, aiming to increase awareness of disaster management.
Think Zone Question: As an expert from Japan, how can Moriwaki’s experiences be integrated to enhance earthquake awareness in Turkey? What approaches should be adopted for the education system, local governments, and media strategies to strengthen disaster preparedness at both individual and societal levels, prevent misinformation, and create an effective awareness campaign that considers cultural differences?
In Japan, after earthquakes, the media prioritizes transparency and accuracy. Even if electricity and phone lines are cut, communication is ensured through special radio systems and emergency vehicles. These systems are supported by accessible screens and aircraft. Only state-approved experts are allowed to make statements, which prevents misinformation and boosts public trust. In Japan, the media collaborates with the government, and only authorized individuals share information. In Turkey, however, the media sometimes allows uncontrolled statements, which can lead to confusion among the public.
Think Zone Question: Can a strict media control system like Japan’s be implemented in Turkey? How can a balance be struck between media freedom, the public’s right to information, and accurate reporting to prevent panic, ensure reliability and transparency in post-disaster communication, while considering cultural and societal dynamics?
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In Japan, becoming an earthquake and disaster expert requires rigorous training and certification. Not everyone can appear on television; only state-approved professors or experts can provide information. In Turkey, it’s noted that sometimes anyone can speak, leading to misinformation. In Japan, experts periodically broadcast to raise public awareness, though it’s not a highly rigid schedule.
Think Zone Question: How can a certification system be developed in Turkey to enhance the competence of earthquake and disaster experts? How should education, oversight, and media access be regulated to ensure only qualified experts inform the public, prevent misinformation, increase public trust, and improve experts’ communication skills with the public?
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The first 72 hours are a critical period for post-earthquake search and rescue. In Japan, as in Turkey, this period is called the “golden hours.” The chance of rescue is 85% on the first day, dropping to 20% on the second day and 15% on the third. Factors like cold weather and hunger make survival harder. In Japan, the importance of individual preparedness is emphasized.
Think Zone Question: What practical preparations and societal organizations can be developed to increase the survival chances of individuals and communities in the first 72 hours? How can individual emergency kit preparation, local government coordination, and volunteer team training be optimized to ensure effective rescue during this critical period?
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In Japan, seismic isolation is commonly used in high-rise buildings (20-30 stories) and public buildings, but it is not mandatory for every residence. In Turkey, seismic isolation is seen in critical structures like hospitals, but it is not as widespread as in Japan. Public buildings and schools serve as post-disaster gathering points, equipped with water and food supplies. Strengthening old buildings is also a priority.
Think Zone Question: What economic, technical, and legal strategies can be developed to promote seismic isolation in Turkey? How can the strengthening of old buildings, raising standards for new buildings, and the use of public buildings as post-disaster hubs be encouraged to enhance earthquake resilience?
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In Japan, there is absolutely no amnesty for illegal constructions. Faulty or unauthorized structures must be rectified. In Turkey, economic reasons have led to construction amnesties, which have compromised earthquake safety. Compliance with scientific standards is a priority in Japan, while Turkey’s approaches differ due to economic crises and the need for registration.
Think Zone Question: What alternative policies and oversight mechanisms can be developed to mitigate the impact of construction amnesties on earthquake safety in Turkey? How can economic needs be balanced with safety standards, and how can society be educated to prevent illegal constructions?
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In Japan, the evacuation plan during an earthquake depends on the type of building and the floor a person is on. Generally, it is recommended to take shelter in safe indoor areas rather than evacuating outside. For example, bathrooms, bedrooms, or triangular spaces next to furniture like sofas or beds are considered safer. According to Japanese laws, evacuating outside during an earthquake is deemed dangerous, as buildings are typically constructed to be sturdy, and falling objects outside pose a risk. In Turkey, people often prefer to go outside, but this can be risky, especially in illegally or poorly constructed buildings. In Japan, children are educated about earthquakes from an early age; for instance, schools conduct drills to practice taking shelter in safe areas. Examples from the Van earthquake highlight survivors found in triangular spaces on upper floors. An anecdote was shared about a meeting in Japan where, during an earthquake, Turkish engineers rushed outside, while Japanese engineers stayed inside and took shelter in triangular spaces.
Think Zone Question: How can Turkey promote the habit of seeking safe indoor areas instead of evacuating during an earthquake? How should education programs, simulations, and public awareness campaigns be designed to prevent panic-driven evacuation and establish safe behavioral patterns?
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In Japan, soil suitability is a critical factor for building construction. Due to the dense population, flat land is scarce, so soil studies are conducted meticulously. In Turkey, areas like Konya have advantageous flat terrain, but soil analysis in densely populated cities like Istanbul can be inadequate. Soil-structure compatibility in Japan is strictly regulated.
Think Zone Question: What technological and legal regulations can be implemented to improve the quality of soil studies in Turkey? How can local governments, the construction industry, and academia collaborate to ensure soil-structure compatibility in densely populated cities and reduce earthquake risks?
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In Japan, construction projects are carried out with strict oversight and professional standards. The training of architects and engineers is rigorous, and post-project inspections are thorough. In Turkey, however, inadequate oversight and rushed construction processes can create issues. In Japan, long-term education and certification requirements enhance building safety.
Think Zone Question: What educational reforms and oversight mechanisms can be developed to implement strict supervision and professional standards in Turkey’s construction projects, as in Japan? How can a long-term strategy be created to enhance the competence of architects and engineers?
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In Japan, becoming an architect or engineer requires a rigorous education process. For example, after two years of intensive training, individuals must work in the field for five years before taking a certification exam. These exams are updated every five years to incorporate new technologies. A continuous connection is maintained between universities and graduates; for instance, Tokyo University offers courses on civil engineering advancements. In Turkey, architecture faculties are rapidly increasing, but insufficient oversight means professional qualifications are not adequately monitored. This compromises building safety. In Japan, architects must go through a meticulous process to complete a project, while in Turkey, this process is less stringent and sometimes lacks proper oversight.
In Japan, children are taught earthquake education from kindergarten. For example, cartoons and practical drills teach children what to do during an earthquake, increasing overall public awareness. In Turkey, such an early education system is not widespread. For instance, cartoons or drills about earthquakes are rarely used in kindergartens, which can lead to panic-driven incorrect behaviors during an earthquake.
The discussion proposed the establishment of a Turkish-Japanese Friendship Association in Çanakkale. This association could promote knowledge and experience sharing between the two countries. Japan’s expertise in earthquake preparedness could be transferred to Turkey through, for example, educational programs or joint projects. Such collaboration could strengthen Turkey’s earthquake preparedness. Participants noted that Çanakkale is a suitable location for such an association, as Japanese companies and cultural ties already exist there.
Japan focuses on pre-earthquake education and resilient building standards, which reduces loss of life. For example, even in magnitude 9 earthquakes, buildings in Japan typically remain standing. Turkey, however, adopts a post-earthquake rescue and intervention approach, allocating most resources to rescue efforts. Participants emphasized that Turkey should invest more in pre-earthquake preparedness, like Japan. It was noted that the United States also follows a rescue-focused approach, but Japan’s preventive approach is considered more effective.
Think Zone Question: How can Turkey adopt an education and certification system like Japan’s? What strategies can be developed for the continuous education of architects and engineers, oversight of professional standards, and fostering earthquake awareness in children from an early age, while adapting to Turkey’s economic and cultural dynamics?
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Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Öncel: Thank you very much. Moriwaki-san’s final words highlight a critical point: ‘In Turkey, buildings collapse quickly due to the ease of becoming an architect or engineer, whereas in Japan, it’s difficult, resulting in greater building resilience.’ This statement is thought-provoking. The foundation lies in Japan’s robust education system, where rigorous architect and engineer training enhances building durability. Unfortunately, in our country, architecture and engineering education is not uniform; some graduates come from weaker programs. This leads to poor education quality and staffing shortages, affecting the reliability of our structures. Moriwaki-san emphasizes the importance of professional engineers, those with the ‘Professional Engineer’ title, focusing on their education and experience. For example, in Canada, individuals earn this title after five years of work experience and obtaining honesty references. In Japan, honesty plays a significant role; a person’s integrity in engineering practice and professional life can be assessed within two years. In Canada, this period is set at five years, but in Japan, it may be shorter due to longer working hours. The core principle is to emphasize the importance of professionalism.
Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Öncel: As seen in the job postings of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, professional engineering requires conditions like a master’s degree or at least five years of experience. Therefore, instead of immediately claiming a professional title after a four-year degree, we must acknowledge the need for more experience and education. Just as law graduates strive to earn the title of lawyer and medical graduates work to become doctors, architects and engineers should take similar steps. We must align with Japan and North American standards. Otherwise, we risk constructing buildings that are not earthquake-resistant. In Japan, continuous education for architects and engineers, regular certification renewals, and strict oversight mechanisms enhance building safety. In Turkey, establishing a similar system requires collaboration between universities, professional associations, and government institutions. For example, professional associations could develop programs mandating continuous education for engineers. Additionally, transparent and independent oversight processes directly impact building safety.
Moriwaki-san: The proposal to establish a Turkish-Japanese Friendship Association in Çanakkale could enhance knowledge sharing between the two countries. Japan’s expertise in earthquake preparedness can be transferred to Turkey through, for example, joint seminars, training programs, and technical collaborations. Çanakkale is an ideal location for this association due to the presence of Japanese companies and existing cultural ties. This association could promote not only earthquake preparedness but also cultural and scientific collaboration. Adapting Japan’s earthquake education system to Turkey could start with programs aimed at children.
Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Öncel: Japan focuses on pre-earthquake preparedness, which reduces loss of life. For example, even in magnitude 9 earthquakes, buildings typically remain standing. Japan’s success is driven by early education, strict building standards, and societal awareness. In contrast, Turkey and the United States adopt post-earthquake rescue and intervention approaches, leading to most resources being allocated to rescue efforts. Japan’s preventive approach is more effective in the long term. For Turkey to adopt this model, reforms in the education system, strengthened building inspections, and public awareness campaigns are necessary. For instance, in Japan, children participate in earthquake drills from kindergarten, fostering a prepared society.
Moriwaki-san: In Japan, engineers are encouraged to engage in continuous learning throughout their careers. Certification exams are renewed every five years, and training on new technologies is provided, ensuring engineers stay up-to-date. A similar system could be established in Turkey, but it must be adapted to economic and cultural factors. For example, online education platforms or short-term courses organized by professional associations could support engineers’ continuous development. Additionally, raising public earthquake awareness is crucial. In Japan, the public is regularly informed and participates in drills. In Turkey, such programs could be expanded through local governments and NGOs.
Think Zone Question: How can Turkey establish a system of continuous education and public awareness like Japan’s? What steps can be taken to support engineers’ professional development, strengthen building inspections, and enhance public earthquake preparedness, while adapting to Turkey’s economic and cultural dynamics?
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