Asia - Japan 
Challenge
In Japan, traditional and local knowledge for disaster resilience has declined because of urbanization and technological advancements.
Solution
The project documented and revitalized traditional disaster risk reduction practices, published booklets, and established platforms linking communities with policymakers.
Overview
Japan’s geographical location makes it highly susceptible to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and typhoons. These events’ increasing frequency and intensity, exacerbated by climate change, pose challenges to communities nationwide. Japanese communities have long developed and relied on traditional and local knowledge (TLK) to mitigate and adapt to natural hazards, but rapid urbanization and technological advancements have led to much of this knowledge being overlooked or forgotten, and this has brought a lower capacity for disaster risk reduction at the local level.
The Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) initiated a comprehensive project in 2015 to document, evaluate, and revitalize TLK for disaster resilience. The project focused on several areas across Japan, including the Matsuura River basin in Saga Prefecture, foothills of the Hira Mountains in Shiga Prefecture, dispersed villages in the Shō River basin of the Tonami Plain, and Sanriku Coast.
Fieldwork and publications
Researchers conducted extensive fieldwork to collect data on traditional land use management, historical flood and landslide control measures, and the maintenance of shelter woods around houses. This information was compiled into a series of booklets, with the first published in the summer of 2019 and subsequent editions covering various regions and practices. These publications serve as educational resources, highlighting the effectiveness of TLK in disaster risk reduction.
Community platforms
The project established collaborative platforms involving local residents, farmers, NGOs, and government officials. These platforms facilitated the sharing of knowledge and experiences, supporting a collective approach to disaster preparedness. The involvement of multiple stakeholders ensured that the revitalization of TLK was community-driven and context-specific.
Economic incentives and policy
In collaboration with the insurance industry, the project explored economic incentives to promote ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR). The approach included assessing the feasibility of natural disaster insurance models and financial schemes such as parametric insurance and resilience bonds.
Researchers also examined existing laws and institutions related to disaster risk reduction and land use, identifying opportunities to integrate TLK into contemporary policy frameworks.
Outcomes
The booklet series has been widely disseminated, raising awareness about the value of TLK in disaster risk reduction. These resources have been used in educational programs, community workshops, and policy discussions, bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern disaster management strategies. Insights from the project have informed policy recommendations at both local and national levels.
The project has influenced land use planning and disaster preparedness policies, encouraging the incorporation of traditional practices into official guidelines. The transdisciplinary platforms have empowered communities to take an active role in disaster risk reduction. Valuing and revitalizing their own traditional knowledge has strengthened communities’ resilience and given them a sense of ownership over disaster preparedness initiatives.
Further work could identify and document TLK across additional regions, incorporate TLK into school curricula and training programs, and adapt traditional methods to address emerging climate change challenges. Sharing Japan’s experiences in TLK-based disaster risk reduction could also provide valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges.
Acknowledgements
This article is based on publicly available information from the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN). Acknowledgement is also given to the organizations and researchers who have made this knowledge accessible. Reported by IGES, edited and updated by AP-PLAT.
Related Information
Traditional and local knowledge of Eco-DRR in and around the Matsuura River
https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/traditional-and-local-knowledge-eco-drr-and-around-matsuura-river
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), Traditional and local knowledge of Eco-DRR in and around the Matsuura River, RIHN
https://www.chikyu.ac.jp/rihn/cms_upload/publicity/112/matsuura_en.pdf
DISCOVER MORE
