About us

Message from Project Leader

The Integrated Program for Next Generation Volcanic Research and Human Resource Development (INeVRH) was envisaged in response to the volcanic disaster at Mt. Ontake in 2014. To contribute to the expected volcanic disaster mitigation, we aim to drastically raise the level of volcanic observation research in our country and develop human resources for this research with extensive knowledge. Therefore, we believe the entire volcanic research community throughout Japan should make every effort to undertake the task. Along with our project participants, we will endeavor to deliver consistent results in ten years, at the end of the project.

Project Leader (PL): Toshitsugu Fujii

Project outline

  • Under the strong leadership of the PL, we are working together with the experts in other fields to enhance cooperation and integration, as well as promoting integrated research on “observation, forecasting, and countermeasures.”
  • We are forming a Consortium for Volcano Research and Human Resource Development, strengthening inter-university collaboration, and providing systematic educational programs linked to cutting-edge volcanic research.

Issues and goals

  • Although the promotion of volcano research and human resources development are required in light of the disaster at Mt. Ontake, mainstream volcanic research is categorized as “observation” research. Furthermore, volcanic research integrating observation, forecasting, and countermeasures that contribute to the prevention and mitigation of disasters has not yet been performed. Additionally, the number of volcanic researchers is currently as low as approximately 80 (as of 2014).
  • To advance Japan’s volcanic research, in addition to traditional observational research, we are promoting combined “observation, forecasting, and countermeasures” research by cooperating and integrating with other fields and develop human resources for volcanic research with extensive knowledge.

Profiles of Project Leader (PL) and Project Advisers (PA)

Position Project Leader
Name Toshitsugu Fujii
Profile 2010~: Director of Environment/Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Crisis and Environment Management Policy Institute, Specified Non-Profit Corporation (current post)
2014~: Director of Mount Fuji Research Institute, Yamanashi Prefectural Government (current post)
Former Director of the Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo
Former Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo.
Position Chief Project Adviser (PA in charge of general management)
Name Kazuyuki Nakagawa
Main career Guest Commentator of Jiji Press(current post)
Visiting Professor of Shizuoka University Center for Integrated Research and Education of Natural Hazards(current post)
Council Member and Acting Chairman of Research and Development Agency of Ministry of Education, Cultures, Sports, Science and Technology (current post)
Former Strategy Coordinator of Council for Science, Technology and Innovation(CSTI)/ Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program(SIP)/ Strengthening National Resilience(disaster prevention, disaster mitigation)
Position Project Adviser on Risk Communication (PA in charge of risk communication)
Name Naoya Sekiya
Main career 2023~: Professor, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research (CIDIR), Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies (III), University of Tokyo.

About our logo

As part of our efforts to deepen communication with the public about the implementation status of the Integrated Program for Next Generation Volcanic Research and Human Resource Development, we have selected a logo and other materials.

logo

The star in the center represents a person growing from bottom to top.
The left and right parts represent feathers. The overall design is “from the bottom to the top” and “from the inside to the outside,” to expresses “the promotion and advancement of research” throughout the logo.
Furthermore, the negative space (blank space in the center) represents a “volcano”, and the orange color is used to express positivity and enthusiasm.