November 5th was established as the World Tsunami Awareness Day by consensus at the United Nations General Assembly in December 2015. 142 countries including Japan jointly proposed this resolution for raising awareness of the risk of tsunami and improving measures against them.

The occurrence of the Nankai Trough Earthquake in the near future is inevitable. In response to this, Kochi Prefecture has been putting tremendous effort and time into launching a variety of precautionary measures in accordance with the following philosophies [Protecting Life] when a disaster occurs, [Surviving] after taking shelter from disaster, and [Rebuilding Life] after disaster subsides.   

In the midst of this, I am honored and delighted to host high school students from 30 countries around the world for the world's first High School Students Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day in Kuroshio Town, Kochi prefecture, as part of the educational activities.

During this Summit, these students are going to discuss disaster preventions, learn from each other, and develop a global network. I look forward to hearing about them taking an active part in disaster prevention in their own countries hereafter.

This High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” in Kuroshio Town is a highly significant educational activity. During the Summit, students who will lead the next generation are going to discuss how to actively take part in disaster prevention and disaster risk reduction in their own countries.

61 schools from overseas and 35 schools from across Japan, of which 5 schools are from Kochi Prefecture, are going to participate in this Summit. Moreover, 2 students from Ogata High School in Kuroshio Town are going to serve as the moderators, and many other students are working together to run the Summit. This is a great opportunity for students not only to widen their international horizons, but also to develop a global network.

Participating students are going to discuss what they can do to protect people's lives and properties in time of natural disaster from the following prospecties of: 'One's own efforts,' 'Cooperation,' and 'Assistance by Public Bodies.' After discussing, these are going to present a declaration termed the "Kuroshio Declaration" to the world at the end of the Summit.

I hope that the declaration will be carried out worldwide and will be the driving force behind the propulsion of disaster prevention and disaster risk reduction measures for protecting people's lives from natural disasters across the world. It is, after all, the intention of “World Tsunami Awareness Day.”

　 
Mayor of Kuroshio Town
Mr. Katsuya Onishi

Kuroshio Town where the Summit is going to be held is in the western part of Kochi Prefecture. The town is blessed with a warm climate and has great natural beauty. On the other hand, in the event of the Nankai Trough Earthquake, the maximum height predicted for a tsunami in Kuroshio Town is 34 m which is the highest prediction in Japan. Since this prediction, Kuroshio Town has been implementing disaster prevention measures against the possible earthquake with the philosophy that not a single life should be lost to a natural disaster.  

A great number of High School students from 30 different countries around the world are going to assemble in Kuroshio Town for this Summit. I hope the Summit encourages productive discussions among students and helps training future leaders who specialize in disaster prevention in their own regions and countries. Moreover, I wish to transmit Kuroshio Town's initiatives toward disaster preventions and how we are coexisting with nature to the world.

It is a rare opportunity for about 360 high school students from around the world to assemble in one place and have discussions on universal issue.  Through this Summit, I hope they will think earnestly about their own lives and build a deeper relationship with each other.

This November, we are holding the High School Students Summit; an international meeting for young people, on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” in Kuroshio Town with the aim of raising awareness about the threat of tsunamis and the precautionary measures in place.

In the event of the Nankai Trough Earthquake, the maximum height predicted for a tsunami in Kuroshio Town is 34.4 m. In response to this harsh prediction, Kuroshio Town has been implementing and educating townspeople in disaster prevention measures with the philosophy in the event of an earthquake or tsunami that not a single life should be lost.

To protect people's lives and property from natural disasters is a common issue facing many countries around the world. The purpose of this Summit is to train future leaders who will be able to minimize the loss to tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural disaster by discussing them and learning from each other. 

High school students represecting 61 schools from overseas and 35 schools from across Japan are going to participate in this Summit. They are going to discuss disaster prevention and disaster risk reduction measures. It is significant that the  "Kuroshio Declaration" which integrates the students' proposal on how to tackle the issues will be sent out to the world at the end of the Summit.

I am delighted to hear not only that two students from our local high school are going to serve as the moderators, but also that so many high school students from around the world will be working together and networking at this Summit.

I hope that with the cooperation from Kochi Prefecture and all the participating parties, that the summit will be a great success, and that the intentions of the students will be carried out worldwide.

　 
High School Student Chaieperson
Kochi Ogata High School
Ms. Ren Imai

Having lived in Australia for several years, I took on the past of moderator as I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to use English. At the beginning, I did not realize how big this Summit really was. I am now aware of the importance of this position, and it makes me nervous at the same time.

In spite of my nervousness, I would like to do my best to fulfil my role as a moderator by encouraging over 300 high school students to exchange their opinions and ideas, and by raising awareness of the risk of tsunamis. In addition, I wish to pass on both Japanese culture and the greatness of Kuroshio Town.

　 
High School Student Chairperson
Kochi Ogata High School
Ms. Rinka Imamura

I have been interested in other countries and English language since Junior High School. Honestly speaking, I was rather unsure of myself when they first recommended me to be a High School Student Moderator.However I realized later on that I would be able to gain valuable experience from being a moderator at the world's first High School Students Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day in Kuroshio, Kochi.

Both earthquakes and tsunamis are great concerns for many countries around the world. Through this international Summit, I hope that all of us students will work and discuss together in order to enrich and unify our knowledge on disaster prevention.

It is challenging for me to fulfil my role as a moderator since it is all carried out in English, but I would like to do my best and enjoy this opportunity as well.