UNDRR & ARISE Japan joint symposium 2026: Strengthening disaster risk reduction by advancing investment in resilience and translating science into Practical Action

Since the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015, disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts have accelerated regardless of sectors and stakeholders. However, the intensification of extreme weather events due to climate change is outpacing expectations, making immediate action in DRR measures and DRR investment imperative.

This year’s ARISE Japan Public Symposium is scaled up into a Joint Symposium by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Kobe Office and ARISE Japan, featuring a two-part programme: a high level session on “Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction by Advancing Investment in Resilience and Translating Science into Practical Action” featuring leaders from public, private, and academic sectors and SRSG Kamal Kishore; and a case studies session presenting leading examples of societal DRR implementation by Japanese private sector companies. This Joint Symposium will serve as a steppingstone toward the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), which is expected to take place in Japan in the autumn of 2027.

Tentative programme

Note: The event will be in Japanese, and in-person only.

Welcome remarks (14:00 – 14:15)

• Welcome remarks by organizer: Masato Takamatsu, Lead, ARISE Japan
• Welcome remarks by distinguished guest: (TBD)

Part 1: High-level session: Strengthening disaster risk reduction by advancing investment in resilience and translating science into practical action (14:15 – 15:40)

• Facilitator: Mr. Kimio Takeya, Distinguished Technical Advisor on DRR, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• Panelists:
  • Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
  • Ms. Mika Nabeshima, Managing Executive Officer & Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.
  • Mr. Satoshi Sasakura, General Manager, the NTT EAST Disaster Resilience and Social Innovation Institute
  • Prof. Koji Ikeuchi, President, Foundation of River & Basin Integrated Communications (FRICS), President, Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo
  • Prof. Tomohito Yamada, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University
  • Prof. Daisuke Komori, Specially Appointed Professor, 2030 Global DRR Agenda Office, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University

Part 2: Examples of strengthening disaster risk reduction by advancing investment in resilience and translating science into practical action by Japan's private sector (15:40 – 16:50)

• Moderator: Yuki Matsuoka, Head of UNDRR Kobe Office 
• Commentators: SRSG Kamal Kishore, Head of UNDRR and Shigeki Honda, Adviser, Minerva Veritas Co., Ltd.

Presentations

Overview of Natural Disaster Response Activities and Initiatives

Mr. Koji Obana, Assistant Manager, Corporate Management and Governance Department Crisis Management Group, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. 

Support for Providing Rational Grounds for Decision-making in DRR Investment

Mr. Hirokazu Ishizuka, Corporate Officer, KOZO KEIKAKU ENGINEERING Inc.

Xross Innovation BOSAI: Social Implementation of Sendai Framework through building DRR Innovation Ecosystem

Mr. Takashi Kamikura, DRR Promotion Manager, DRR Department, Crisis Management Bureau,　Sendai City, and 

Ms. Asami Agatsuma, Unit Leader, Market Strategy Team, Sendai Branch, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.

Disaster Prevention DX through Public-Private Co-creation

Mr. Yoshinori Takada, Senior Professional, NEC Corporation

Social Implementation of Insurance Agency Resilience through JSA-S1003

Mr. Takashi Nameki, Representative Director/CEO, KABTO Co., Ltd. (ARISE)

Closing Remarks (16:50 – 17:00)

• Closing Remarks by UNDRR: Mr. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
• Closing Remarks by ARISE: Satoshi Hijikata, ARISE Board Member / Advisor, Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Organizers and partners

UNDRR Kobe Office and ARISE Japan

Supporters

Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ) 

Association for Resilience Japan (ARJ) 

Japan Bosai Platform (JBP)

Sponsor

Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.