Renowned Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban, is pioneering the construction of buildings not from wood, but paper. His paper structures are robust enough to support three-story buildings, meeting the requirements of Japan’s Building Standard Law Article 38.

https://shigerubanarchitects.com/van/

The use of paper in architecture is not only cost-effective but also safer due to its light weight compared to heavy roofing materials. In the current situation in the Noto Peninsula disaster zone, the lack of partitions in shelters has raised significant privacy concerns, particularly for young women.

Ban’s innovative approach is not limited to building structures but extends to creating partitions in shelters, offering a much-needed solution for maintaining privacy.

For those interested in experiencing Ban’s paper architecture firsthand, I recommend visiting his paper-based restaurant on Awaji Island. I think it could be a unique experience to understand the practicality and ingenuity behind this sustainable architectural approach.

#ShigeruBan #SustainableArchitecture #Innovation #DisasterRelief #PaperArchitecture #BuildingStandards #CostEffective #SafetyInDesign #PrivacyInShelters #ArchitecturalSolutions #EcoFriendlyConstruction #JapaneseArchitecture #AwajiIsland

On January 6th at 23:20, Seismic Intensity of 6 earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture’s Shika town, home to the Shika Nuclear Power Plant. Unlike the real-time coverage during the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, there has been a concerning lack of media reporting on the Shika Nuclear Power Plant in this instance.

Currently, the Shika Nuclear Power Plant, which has been inactive since the Fukushima incident, is deemed safer than operational plants. However, even in its dormant state, the cooling of nuclear fuel rods remains crucial. Due to the disruption of access roads, the status of the plant is unclear, and recovery operations in case of an incident seem challenging.

Recent movements have been pushing for the reactivation of the Shika plant. The operator, Hokuriku Electric Power Company, has claimed, “There are no active faults here,” despite the presence of numerous active faults in the surrounding region. Moreover, the Chairman of Keidanren (also the organizer of Expo 2025) recently inspected the plant and advocated for its immediate reactivation, citing its ‘absolute safety’.

The Japanese public is left in a state of disappointment and darkness.

However, I hold hope that Expo 2025 will bring a ray of light. The German Pavilion, for instance, is expected to showcase Europe’s latest energy technologies and policies through Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Furthermore, as reported on TV, the Dutch Pavilion plans to introduce advanced renewable energy technologies from the Netherlands.

The Japanese people are currently shrouded in darkness, uninformed and disillusioned.

Through Expo 2025, we eagerly anticipate that Europe’s innovative technologies and progressive policies will educate not only Japan’s ignorant and arrogant government and academia but also enlighten the uninformed Japanese public.

#Expo2025 #IshikawaEarthquake #NuclearSafety #RenewableEnergy #SustainableFuture #GlobalAwareness #Japan #ShikaNuclearPowerPlant #EuropeanInnovation #EnvironmentalPolicy #PublicEnlightenment #ErdbebenJapan #KernkraftwerkShika #Sicherheit #Umweltschutz #Energiepolitik #Japan #DeutschesPavillon #Expo2025Osaka #ErneuerbareEnergie #Deutschland #Niederlande #Nachhaltigkeit #Technologie #Klimaschutz #Energieinnovation #Umwelttechnik #DeutscheTechnologie #JapanischePolitik #Kernenergie #Notfallmanagement #Krisenbewältigung #Energiezukunft #InternationaleZusammenarbeit #Umweltbewusstsein #Energiewende

Today I had the privilege of listening to an enlightening talk by Izumi Egami, a former cabin crew member with 30 years of service at Japan Airlines (JAL). Her insights on the successful emergency evacuation of 379 passengers and crew from an aircraft deeply moved me.

While international media, including British newspapers and The New York Times, hailed this evacuation as a ‘miracle’, Ms. Egami respectfully disagreed. She asserted that this success was not a stroke of luck but the result of rigorous training and a strong commitment to passenger safety.

Ms. Egami outlined the key factors contributing to the successful evacuation:

• Bilingual panic control announcements made by the cabin crew.
• The crew’s independent decision to open emergency exits amid flames.
• Directing passengers to leave their belongings behind for a swift evacuation.

BBC highlighted a comment from a British university professor who noted, “Japan boasts an extraordinary record in transportation safety, and JAL is a global leader in safety.” The professor further observed that this incident showcases the extensive training and efficient management of evacuations by cabin crew.

JAL has experienced its share of challenges, including the world’s deadliest aircraft crash in 1985 and bankruptcy in 2010. It is presumed that these events have led to the implementation of stringent safety measures.

In the past, JAL was the most sought-after employer among female students in Japan, with their cabin crew perceived as highly attractive and aspirational figures.

Today, the veteran cabin crew members of JAL, with their exceptional professionalism and warm smiles, continue to embody the allure and grace that have long been associated with the airline.

#JapanAirlines #JAL #AviationSafety #CabinCrew #EmergencyEvacuation #Professionalism #AviationIndustry #CrisisManagement #TransportSafety #AirTravel #CustomerServiceExcellence #AviationHistory #JALCrew #SafetyFirst

In 1995, during the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake, I experienced a massive quake while in Osaka. Shops and city functions came to a halt, enveloping the streets in an unusual silence.

About a week after the quake, I saw groups of strong-looking men, carrying long poles, walking through the city. They were volunteers who had come from Tokyo and other places. I believe they took time off from their work to come to our aid in Osaka.

A German friend of mine, whose residence was completely destroyed, fortunately survived as he happened to be outside at the time. Tragically, the homeowner passed away.

Remarkably, there was no crime in the disaster area. Instead, there was a spirit of mutual assistance. We refer to this spirit of helping each other as the ‘KOBE’ spirit.

I believe the ‘KOBE’ spirit, born out of those dark days, has become embedded in the DNA of the Japanese people. It’s a spirit that continues to shine in subsequent disaster areas across Japan, symbolizing our resilience and solidarity.

#KobeSpirit #Resilience #Solidarity #Japan #HanshinEarthquake #Volunteerism #CommunitySupport #DisasterRecovery #StrengthInUnity #HelpingHands #TogetherWeStand #EmergencyResponse #HumanitarianAid #CrisisManagement #JapaneseCulture #SurvivalSpirit #Hope #Compassion #MutualSupport
#TurkishVolunteers #Volunteerism #GlobalSolidarity #HumanitarianAid #CommunitySupport #CrossCulturalHelp #InternationalAssistance #HelpingHands #UnityInCrisis #GlobalCompassion #DisasterRelief #InternationalVolunteers #HeartfeltHelp #TurkishAid #WorldwideSupport #CrisisResponse #EmergencyAid #GlobalKindness #HumanityFirst #CompassionateAction