Japan has a long history of natural disaster.

Now, the power of science is helping to overcome them.

BOSAI: Science that Can Save Your Life.

In many sightseeing spots in Japan, you'll see

tourists, tourists, tourists everywhere!

Now that the COVID travel restrictions have been lifted,

a great number of tourists are arriving in Japan every day.

And this poses a challenge:

"Protecting foreign visitors from disasters
during their stay in Japan."

Visitors don't know about disasters and risks in Japan.

Earthquakes,

tsunamis,

typhoons.

Although these are disasters that could strike Japan,

many foreign visitors have never experienced such an event.

In today's episode, we'll introduce technologies that ensure the safety of travelers during disasters.

I am at the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

And as you can see, there are many people visiting us from abroad.

Today, I would like to ask them about their thoughts on natural disasters

and what they would do if one were to strike.

- So you're visiting Japan?
- Yes, 1st day here.

1st day? That's exciting!

What kind of impression do you have about natural disasters in Japan?

Or what are your main fears or concerns if one were to strike during your stay here?

Honestly, I never thought about it.

I see. Have you ever experienced?

No, no, no.

- Where are you two from?
- Chicago.

- Chicago. The Windy City.
- Yes.

- If one were to strike Japan, would you have any idea about where to go to get information?
- No idea.

- Or about some disaster prevention lingo?
- No idea.

If a disaster were to strike and you were given instructions about what to do,

are you confident that you will be able to follow those instructions?

No, because when the actual earthquake comes,

I'm so sure everyone will be panicked and absentminded.

All of the things you've studied will absolutely be gone.

You can't think of anything.

So I'm not sure if I can still remember the instructions.

We found that people visiting Japan have not given much thought to disaster preparedness.

Currently, there are efforts to protect foreign visitors from disasters.

We visited CLAIR, an organization that supports local governments with their international efforts.

During disasters, they have provided information to foreign residents and visitors,

through efforts such as translating evacuation information in various languages,

and dispatching volunteers to the evacuation centers.

Japanese is known as a difficult language.
Keywords used during disasters

are even more difficult.

Here in Japan, people have a basic idea
of what to expect in a typhoon or an earthquake.

Yes, for us, it's a part of our lives
throughout the year.

The challenge is that visitors
not only have a language barrier,

but they don't have the experience
with such disasters.

So they don't know what do.

On this day, local government officials were invited to attend a disaster prevention training session

on how to evacuate foreign residents and visitors safely.

What became evident was the language barrier.

The number of technical interns and immigrants
from Asian countries are rising.

We need to provide more support
in those languages.

People from overseas often do not have a clear idea
of what would happen when a disaster strikes in Japan.

The challenge is how to help them
understand ways to evacuate.

CLAIR has created a new system to support local governments.

Can you explain what this is?

This is a multilingual disaster terminology sheet.

It was created to use during disasters
in places such as evacuation centers.

It's in 13 languages.

Quite a lot.

Yes. English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese,
Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese to name a few.

We went ahead and made a sign.

We tried it by clicking the word "Evacuation Center."

Next, you choose the number of languages.

All you need to do is select the language from the list.

The list displays the word in various languages.

It can be printed out on a single sheet of paper and posted at evacuation centers.

This lets people from different countries know that the place is an evacuation center.

There are about 400 sample sentences that can be used to convey necessary information

in multiple languages in times of disaster.

The system is available online and can be used by anyone at no cost.

The number of visitors to Japan is increasing
and the number of foreign residents is at an all-time high.

These numbers are expected to rise in the future.

For example, if the information
is written in Chinese or Spanish,

people from these countries will know
"We are welcome here."

They will be relieved.

Yes. And when locals see the sign,
they will understand that people

from other countries are there, too.
The sign has had that kind of effect.

In the event of a disaster, what is especially important is life-saving information,

such as an approaching tsunami.

Technology is being developed to quickly notify this information to foreign residents and visitors.

Beautiful blue skies and sandy white beaches.

This is the Shirahama region of Wakayama Prefecture.

It is one of the most popular recreational travel spots in Japan, attracting many visitors from overseas.

Here, a certain technology has been developed in order to protect visiting tourists from disasters.

There is a big drone up in the sky.

Please follow me.

And it's telling me to follow it.

The drone is leading me to some place.

Oh, where are you taking me?

- Please turn left.
- Please turn left?

Okay, I guess I'm turning left.

Hello! I followed the drone here.
It said, "Please follow me."

Was the sound clear?

Yes, very clear.

Takenaka Tomohiko designs plans on how to use drones.

As a matter of fact, he had guided me here using the drone.

What is this drone used for?

This is called the "announcer drone"
and is used for disaster mitigation.

It gives instructions on how to evacuate
using a special speaker.

So the drone flies to where people are
and guides them to a safe place.

Yes. This coastal town of Shirahama
is projected to sustain great damage from

the Nankai Trough Earthquake prediction.

The drone was made to fly to areas where
emergency alert systems are not working

or where people may not hear the alert.

Then we can help them evacuate safely.

The Nankai Trough Earthquake is one the most alarming earthquakes that is expected to strike Japan.

It is predicted to hit a wide area on the Pacific coast of Japan

with an estimated magnitude of up to 9.1 on the Richter scale.

It is said that a tsunami of up to 10 meters will hit Shirahama.

With this drone, they are attempting to inform people about an approaching tsunami and lead them to an evacuation site.

The drone is designed to carry sound far and wide.

This aircraft has a black speaker

which produces a higher-pitch sound
compared to normal speakers.

Human voices can be heard more clearly
with this speaker.

Plus, it has an "announcement function"
in various languages.

How many languages?

29, including Japanese.

It's multilingual.

We asked him to demonstrate an evacuation.

Were you operating it from here earlier?

Yes. Here, you can view the image
being captured on the drone camera.

I guided you here earlier
by looking at this monitor.

Now, let's take a look at the different languages.

Here are the languages that the drone can use.

Let's try Spanish and Chinese.

Click here and enter.

Now, let's type in the sentence you want it to say.

Let's do a tsunami warning.

This is an area where tsunami is expected to reach.

Please evacuate to higher ground immediately.

The Spanish and Chinese translations are ready.

I'm finished setting up.
Now, let's play it.

Yes, please.

This is an area where tsunami is expected to reach.

Please evacuate to higher ground immediately.

This is an area where tsunami is expected to reach.

Please evacuate to higher ground immediately.

This is an area where tsunami is expected to reach.

Please evacuate to higher ground immediately.

Just like this.

We can change the sentences remotely,

and the system makes the drone
speak in various languages.

This announcer drone is being adopted by local governments and fire departments across Japan.

We're getting more visitors to Japan
so this technology will be essential.

Yes, Japan faces many natural disasters
and we have a large number of visitors.

This drone will help people evacuate
in languages they can understand.

I hope it will be adopted widely
in order to save many lives.

That's wonderful.

Japan is known throughout the world as a popular tourist destination.

Measures using multilingual technology are being implemented, to ensure the safety of our visiting guests.

Captivating landscapes, culture and food.

I imagine that many of you watching this program today are interested in visiting Japan in the future.

Please rest assured that Japan is prepared for disasters.

We look forward to seeing you all here.