Japan-Oklahoma Disaster Preparedness and Response Symposium
2024/12/17
From left, President Harroz, Dr. Miller, Dr. Noyori-Corbett, Consul General Naganuma
Consul General Naganuma
President Harroz
From left, Honorary Consul Bartlett, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Pinnell, ODOC Chief of International Protocol Christy Busch, Consul General Naganuma
Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Pinnell
On December 6, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the “Japan-Oklahoma Disaster Preparedness and Response Symposium” with the University of Oklahoma, which welcomed 127 attendees including disaster management experts from the United States and Japan, Oklahoma disaster management officials, and Japanese companies. Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila and Oklahoma State Senator Mary Boren were also in attendance.
In his opening remarks, University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. emphasized the need for industry-academia-government collaboration and cross-border cooperation to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience, and that this symposium was an important step toward addressing the critical issue of disasters in our societies.
Next, Consul General Naganuma stated that since Japan and Oklahoma share the common challenge of natural disasters, he hoped that this symposium would allow Japan and Oklahoma to share their experiences of natural disasters, in order to create societies where no one would be left behind.
During the symposium, presentations and panel discussions by experts from Japan and the U.S. introduced their respective efforts toward disaster preparedness and discussed disaster preparedness measures.
At the networking reception, Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell gave opening remarks, stating that today's symposium was just the beginning of a great partnership between Japan and Oklahoma in a variety of areas, including disaster prevention, economy, and tourism. He also announced plans for a delegation, led by the Lt. Governor, to visit Japan in 2025 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sister city affiliation between Kyoto Prefecture and the State of Oklahoma.
In his opening remarks, University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. emphasized the need for industry-academia-government collaboration and cross-border cooperation to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience, and that this symposium was an important step toward addressing the critical issue of disasters in our societies.
Next, Consul General Naganuma stated that since Japan and Oklahoma share the common challenge of natural disasters, he hoped that this symposium would allow Japan and Oklahoma to share their experiences of natural disasters, in order to create societies where no one would be left behind.
During the symposium, presentations and panel discussions by experts from Japan and the U.S. introduced their respective efforts toward disaster preparedness and discussed disaster preparedness measures.
At the networking reception, Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell gave opening remarks, stating that today's symposium was just the beginning of a great partnership between Japan and Oklahoma in a variety of areas, including disaster prevention, economy, and tourism. He also announced plans for a delegation, led by the Lt. Governor, to visit Japan in 2025 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sister city affiliation between Kyoto Prefecture and the State of Oklahoma.