On Wednesday, November 27th, 2024, a “Disaster Prevention and Crime Prevention Training for International Students” event was held to promote disaster and crime prevention awareness among international students and researchers. The goal was to equip them with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families from disasters such as earthquakes and floods, as well as from criminal activities. With 21 participants, the training included lectures and hands-on sessions conducted in collaboration with Kusatsu International Friendship Association, Kusatsu City Crisis Management Division, Kusatsu City Fire Fighting Ladys, Kusatsu City Foreigner Fire Brigade, Konan Fire Department South Fire Station, and Otsu and Kusatsu Police Department.

In the first half of the event, participants attended lectures on natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, delivered by Kusatsu City officials. Then the police officers explained traffic rules including bike riding. Introduction of firefighting teams followed, which included tasting halal emergency food. Additionally, under the guidance of Minami Fire Station, participants practiced making emergency calls to 119 in both Japanese and English.

The second half of the event took place outdoors. As part of an evacuation drill, students ran out under the assumption that an earthquake had occurred. Then everyone experienced a simulated earthquake on a quake simulator vehicle with shakes reaching an intensity of 7. Experiencing the strong shakes, some participant asked questions such as “What should we do if an earthquake of this intensity actually occurs?” They also practiced extinguishing a fire by using a water extinguisher, targeting three simulated flames. The session concluded with a rescue training in which five volunteer students participated—four carried an “injured” participant on a stretcher and a substitute available.

The day before this event, an earthquake with an intensity of 3 had struck the area, increasing interests in disaster preparedness. The participants engaged seriously in the training, aiming to enhance their ability to protect themselves in emergencies. The event also served as an opportunity for international students to connect with the local multicultural community by interacting with the lecturers and their organizations.

Group photo

Making an emergency call

 Experiencing an earthquake with a simulator vehicle

Targeting simulated flames with water extinguisher