The Crisis Management Conference 2015 convened in Tokyo on October 13(Tue)-14(Wed). The Crisis Management Conference is a project of the "Network for Crisis Management", a network of major cities mainly in Asia, and is held annually to increase crisis management capabilities in mutual cooperation.
　This year, crisis management experts from Kuala Lumpur, Metropolitan Manila, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei met in Tokyo. One of the centerpieces of this year's Tokyo Conference was the invitation of Tokyo's sister cities in order to learn from the experiences of other major cities that are not members of the network. In attendance were experts from Beijing, London and New South Wales (Australia).
　Bangkok had announced their willingness to attend at first. However, unfortunately, they were unable to attend in order to respond the terrorist bomb attack in August. A letter from Bangkok was received in which they expressed their best wishes for the success of the conference.

Opening address by Mr. Masuzoe,
the governor of Tokyo

　The opening address was presented by Mr. Yoichi Masuzoe, the Governor of Tokyo. Governor Masuzoe listed activities underway to encourage the citizens of Tokyo to prepare for disasters, such as the publication of "Tokyo Bosai (Disaster Preparedness Tokyo)" by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in September (by chance the English version of "Tokyo Bosai" was ready on the day of the conference and presented to participants!).

Earnest Discussions

　The presentation session commenced after a short recess. Presentations and animated discussions focused on the theme for this year, "Comprehensive measures to minimize damage caused by disasters: Protecting the lives and property of all". The Tokyo Metropolitan Government presented diverse activities aimed at raising the disaster prevention awareness of citizens, and a project to transform areas having high concentrations of wooden buildings posing significantly elevated large-scale fire risks, to zones where "fires are not triggered nor spread". A touching account was shared of Taipei's experience as a "first responder" to the airplane accident that occurred in February of this year. From Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore, and Manila, information was shared on activities to raise public disaster prevention awareness and the execution of large-scale drills. London, participating for the first time, shared its experiences of large events, such as the Olympics and Paralympics, and New South Wales, who was also new in the conference, shared measures taken to enlist the cooperation of the private sector. The presentations of non-Asian countries were energizing for the participating delegates with a favorable impression.

　On the second day, the participants visited the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, Security & Safety Trade Expo, and the Special Equipment Exhibition & Conference for Anti-Terrorism.
　The "Sona Area" of the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park is a facility where people can experience what would happen during a large earthquake. In a re-created earthquake shelter one can learn the lessons the Japanese have accumulated through past earthquakes. A variety of straightforward exhibits, which even children understand, is presented such as recommended articles to include in a survival kit and tips on how to be comfortable in a shelter. This was highly valued by the delegates as an "educational reference for residents".
　The Security & Safety Trade Expo (is Japan's largest fair in the area of crisis management and the delegates could learn about the most advanced disaster prevention technologies of Japan.

　In this conference most presentations were of measures to encourage residents to participate in disaster prevention and increase public awareness and education. This strengthened delegates understanding that expanding the disaster prevention awareness of residents is a common issue for major cities. It is hoped that the crisis management capabilities of networking cities are further expanded by learning of successes regarding common issues and incorporating them into the countermeasures of each city. The Network for Crisis Management will continue to encourage mutual learning by sharing information and experience. The 2016 Crisis Management Conference will be held in Singapore.

Delegates from various cities