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JITTI Journal Cultural Article July 2025 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2025 Cultural Article Japanese Horror: A Look Through Time of Heart-racing Films By Mamiko Kim Introduction: In an interview last month, Steven Spielberg recounted that directing a particular film would have him “waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, where the sheets would be soaking wet," and caused him “consistent nightmares” years later. Spielbergh’s personal distress resulted in the film “Jaws,” and horror cinema critics are celebrating the 50th anniversary of its debut, along with the 100th debut of the 1925 “The Phantom of the Opera” silent film this summer. Both films are considered classics and vitally important to the development of the horror genre. Japan too has a rich history of telling ghost stories, with an abundance of unique yo-kai , monsters, tricksters, and spirits. A popular pastime in the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) was to play Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai ("A Gathering of One Hundred Supernatural Tales") in which people gathered in the evenings to a room lit with one hundred candles. After telling a scary tale, each guest would blow out a candle, resulting in the room growing darker and darker as the night wore on. With horror folklore and the art of storytelling so ingrained in Japan’s culture, it is no wonder that Japanese filmmakers have produced many world-leading horror movies. As a ghost story told in summer is believed in Japan to chill any who hear it, and in light of the milestones of horror films in the U.S. this year, I’d like to introduce significant horror cinema from Japan across the decades, and why these films are both culturally important and worth watching today. Godzilla Movie Poster Godzilla (1954) Synopsis When strange ship disappearances and a destroyed fishing village point to an ancient legend, paleontologist Kyohei Yamane investigates Odo Island and discovers Godzilla, a giant dinosaur-like monster awakened and empowered by hydrogen bomb testing. Despite military efforts and Yamane's desire to study the creature, Godzilla proves unstoppable, rampaging through Tokyo and causing immense destruction and loss of life. The protagonists struggle in their dilemma of stopping Godzilla while also battling questions of the great cost to humanity if a weapon that could defeat him existed. Why This Film is Important: While perhaps not obvious today, “Godzilla” was truly a horror movie at its release due to its proximity to the date when the atomic bombs were dropped only 9 years earlier. Director Ishiro Honda summed up his intentions by saying, “the film was about terror and shock...The bottom line is: “It appeared. What can we do? There is nothing we can do!” And we decided to depict the terror and horror of this realization.” With Japan and its citizens still recovering from the atomic bombs, and the fear of their power affecting international politics and the global psyche, “Godzilla’s” critique of nuclear power challenged viewer's thoughts on weapons of mass destruction, and the moral and ethical issues that they uncover. Why You Should Watch It: Godzilla is a cultural icon, influencing countless works of art, literature, and film, including numerous spin-offs and sequels, and single-handedly ushering in an era of giant Kaiju monster movies. However, perhaps more than anything, the original 1954 “Godzilla” film is a well-crafted narrative, with its enduring themes of humanity's arrogance and ethical responsibilities when tampering with nature still impactful today. House Movie Poster House (1977) Synopsis: "House" is a Japanese horror-comedy about a schoolgirl named Gorgeous who, to escape a summer with her new stepmother, decides to visit her ailing aunt's remote countryside mansion with six of her friends (each named after their defining personality trait: Prof, Mac, Kung Fu, Melody, Sweet, and Fantasy). Upon arriving, the girls are subjected to increasingly outlandish and gruesome supernatural events as the house, possessed by the spirit of the aunt's deceased cat, literally devours them one by one. Why This Film is Important: In response to the success of “Jaws” in 1975, Toho Studios approached director Nobuhiko Obayashi in the hopes that he could create a film that could match it. What resulted was an inventive and surreal film that was unique to itself, and certainly nothing like “Jaws”. Obayashi played with experimental filmmaking techniques, including using hand-painted backdrops, bizarre animation, and intentionally cheap special effects, which resulted in a visually interesting and hypnagogic watch. Setting it apart was also the fact that the film was co-written by Obayashi and his 10 year old daughter, whose imagination and perspective of fear as a child contributed to unexpected, dreamlike visual and narrative choices, but also added authenticity to a film following the experiences of the young schoolgirl protagonists. While the film initially did poorly with critics, it found a following among Japanese youth at the time. However, it soon faded to obscurity. It wasn’t until after Janus Films acquired the rights and it was featured at the 2009 New York Asia Film Festival that it received renewed attention. With this exposure, heightened interest grew in the film, and today it is considered a cult classic globally, particularly with recognition of its artistry, originality, and blending of multiple genres. Why You Should Watch It: Obayashi was a boy during WWII, and his personal struggle and reflection over time greatly impacted the type of stories he directed. For "House," the narrative touches on friendship, loss, survivor’s guilt, and the tension between the past and future, as the traditional Japanese home turns against the protagonists, who as young modern girls, are unfamiliar with tragedy. As such, “House” offers viewers today an opportunity to witness the juxtaposition of long-standing trauma and recovery of Japan, with both frights and laughs, packaged in a bizarre and artistically masterful film. The Ring Movie Poster The Ring (Ringu) (1998) Synopsis: Journalist Reiko Asakawa investigates the death of her niece and three friends who have watched a cursed videotape said to kill anyone who watches it within seven days. After viewing the videotape herself, and receiving a phone call that she too will die within the allotted time, Reiko enlists the help of her ex-husband Ryuji, a university professor with psychic abilities, to solve the case. Reiko and Ryuji race against time to solve the mystery, with stakes raised as Reiko’s young son is caught also watching the videotape. Why This Film is Important: It would be impossible for any list of prominent Japanese horror movies to exclude “The Ring,” whose success was instrumental in bringing global attention to Japanese horror cinema. “The Ring” first gained notice due its success at multiple international film festivals, including winning “Best Asian Film” at the 1999 Fantasia Film Festival in Canada. Highly reviewed by critics and spread by word-of-mouth, it soon became an international phenomenon. New terminology was coined including “J-Horror” and “New Asian Horror” in the Western lexicon, and the movie also allowed for other Japanese horror films to gain international recognition. In fact, Japanese horror films were so well regarded that a Hollywood trend emerged in the early 2000s of remaking Japanese horror movies, including “The Ring,” “The Grudge,” “One Missed Call,” and “Dark Water” with great box office success. These in turn brought new fans to the original Japanese films. It also helped shift the tone of U.S. horror films away from slasher films, which had dominated the horror film industry for the last three decades. With these achievements, “The Ring” has proved its global cultural importance. Why You Should Watch It: “The Ring’s” genius is in its gradual atmospheric build of psychological dread, without a dependence on jump scares or gore. The central mystery as to why things are occurring, the video tape itself, which plays imagery that is unsettling but ambiguous in meaning, and a sense of inevitability towards a tragic end all lead to a tense and slow-building unease for the viewer. One does not need to be a horror enthusiast to appreciate “The Ring’s” careful storytelling, where fear stems from what is left unsaid and unexplained. Conclusion: This summer, as the sun beats down making the outdoors unbearable, why not consider the Japanese way of cooling off? Watch a J-horror film. There are so many options to explore, and they will certainly leave you feeling chilled, even after the credits have ended. References : Juneau, J. (2025, June 20). Why Steven Spielberg had a “full-blown panic attack” while making “jaws” 50 years ago: “I just lost it.” People.com . https://people.com/steven-spielberg-panic-attack-after-making-jaws-50-years-ago-11757476 Davisson, Z. (2011, July 15). What is Hyakumonogatari? . 百物語怪談会 Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai. https://hyakumonogatari.com/what-is-hyakumonogatari/ Mirjahangir, C. (2023, January 29). Ishiro Honda: His final interview . Toho Kingdom. https://www.tohokingdom.com/blog/ishiro-honda-his-final-interview/ Hernandez, J. A. (2022, October 22). Godzilla (1954): Into horror history: J.a. hernandez . Godzilla (1954) | Into Horror History | J.A. Hernandez. https://www.jahernandez.com/posts/godzilla-1954 Vuotto, M. (2020, August 27). Green screen dreams: The legacy of Nobuhiko Ôbayashi’s virtual fantasies . MUBI. https://mubi.com/en/notebook/posts/green-screen-dreams-the-legacy-of-nobuhiko-obayashi-s-virtual-fantasies Vann-Wall, S. (2024, October 17). House (1977): 5 reasons you need to see this bonkers horror film: ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, news, Reviews & Screen Industry Data . ScreenHub Australia. https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/features/house-1977-5-reasons-you-need-to-see-this-bonkers-horror-film-2648711 McMahan, L. (2023, October 12). The bizarre story, enduring influence of “Hausu.” The Hoya. https://thehoya.com/guide/the-bizarre-story-enduring-influence-of-hausu/ Lee, J. (2021, November 23). The Ring and Japanese Horror . Japan Nakama. https://www.japannakama.co.uk/tv-film/insights/the-ring-and-japanese-horror/ Mubi. Ring (1998) Awards & Festivals. https://mubi.com/en/films/ringu/awards Baradaran, B. (2015, December 30). Ringu . The Asian Cinema Critic. https://theasiancinemacritic.com/2015/10/11/ringu/ Loayza, B. (2022, October 18). ‘The ring’ at 20: Millennial horror that’s still infecting movies today - The New York Times . New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/movies/the-ring-gore-verbinski.html Image Sources Toho Company Ltd. (Creator) . 1954. Japanese movie poster for 1954 Japanese (Photograph). Tokyo, Japan. Uploaded to Wikipedia March 4 2008. Accessed July 29 2025 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_(1954_film) Toho Eizō Ltd. (Creator). 1977. Movie poster illustrates the aunt's cat Blanche sitting on a pedestal before the aunt's house which is surrounded by trees and flames. Text at the bottom includes the film's title production credits, and small portrait shots of the cast members. (Photograph) Tokyo, Japan. Uploaded to Wikipedia September 27 2020. Accessed July 29 2025 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_(1977_film) Toho Company Ltd. (Creator) . 1998. Ringu (1998) Japanese theatrical poster (Photograph). Tokyo, Japan. Uploaded to Wikipedia November 18 2024. Accessed July 29 2025 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_(film)

JITTI Journal Cultural Article January 2021 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2021 Cultural Article Shodo - Japanese Calligraphy - by Shuntaro Okimoto I know that both Americans and Japanese like to spend their holidays being lively with their families and friends, but this year everyone had to spend their time quietly at home. How did you spend your time? I watched lots of classic Christmas animations and movies (Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Home Alone,” etc.) with my daughters. They ate candy canes, opened advent calendars, decorated gingerbread men, and made cookies with my wife. I was able to read many books I wanted read. In this way we enjoyed our holidays in America, but we also did some traditional Japanese activities. One of those was “Shodo” (Japanese calligraphy), which I’ll introduce in this article. The other was cooking Osechi (traditional New Year Japanese food). If you are interested, you can read my article on Osechi in the JITTI Journal (January 2020 edition). LINK to 1/2020 JITTI Journal Cultural Article The author's daughter writing the kanji for New Year (Shougatsu). A long time ago, Japanese people had a habit of doing Shodo around January 2nd. Shodo done during the New Year holidays is called “Kakizome” (New Year’s writing). Besides some people that still do it as a symbol of the start of the year's activities, most children in elementary schools do it at school at the beginning of the New Year. If you are interested in Japan and Japanese culture, I recommend you to try Shodo at least once, because when you travel to Japan you will find an abundance of Shodo works of art in many places, such as temples, museums, and hotels. Once you have had an experience doing Shodo, you will likely be able to have a greater feel and taste from the works you encounter. Shodo is, in a sense, a simple art of writing your favorite words using your favorite letters. In Japan, we usually write using Japanese characters (Kanji or Hiragana), but if you want to write using the English alphabet, I think that's fine. However, I would highly recommend using a brush and India ink, not a pen or a pencil, although there is one type of Shodo writing that uses these more modern writing utensils. You gently slide the tip of the brush soaked in ink onto the paper. Tools, including special paper, can easily be bought online by searching for a “Shodo calligraphy set.” The brush is a bundle of about an inch of animal hair (maybe a little bigger than the brushes that are used for painting). You can write one character with different expressions depending on how strongly the brush is pressed and by the type of brush movement. Shodo is a full-fledged artform, but may be easier to attempt than painting in the sense that the letters that are drawn have shapes that are functionally fixed. Pictured are the tools used for Shodo. The standing bottle holds the ink, and the smaller brush is used to sign your work. Earlier this year, I held a brush in my hand and faced a piece of white paper. I can't write letters well while thinking about other things, and had to concentrate solely on the calligraphy. It was very pleasant for me to concentrate on drawing the lines I imagined. I recommend Shodo to you as an activity during the stay-at-home period. You can quietly face your inner self in your own home. Otherwise, perhaps the exotic scent of ink may make you feel like you are traveling to Asia.

Graduate Course Specifically Focused on Coast Guard Studies Graduate Course Specifically Focused on Coast Guard Studies by Yuta Arai Introduction This article introduces Japan’s international initiative to develop human resources in maritime law enforcement, specifically for the coast guard. The Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program (MSP) is a master’s degree program jointly organized by the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), with the cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and a co-working organization, The Nippon Foundation. It is designed for officers of coast-guard organizations in the Indo-Pacific region, all conducted entirely in English. Objectives and Background The MSP was launched in 2015 as a capacity-building program “to foster their abilities to formulate high-level maritime safety and security policy and effectively address global maritime challenges.” As maritime issues in Asia—such as drug-smuggling, illegal migration, and piracy—became increasingly complex and diverse, this program responds to a demand for professionals capable of addressing these international threats and contributing practically to maintaining maritime order. Through the program, participants will “acquire abilities to creatively formulate policy and effectively address maritime challenges.” The origin of the MSP lies in the Asia Coast Guard Junior Officers Course (AJOC), implemented by the JCG with the support of the Nippon Foundation from 2011. After three years of AJOC, the program evolved into its current form by integrating GRIPS’s academic and research expertise, with granting a master’s degree, and JICA’s financial and logistical support for learning, travel, and residence in Japan. Curriculum The MSP features an intensive one-year curriculum that balances theory and practice. The academic year is divided into three terms: First Term (October–March) – GRIPS, Tokyo The course begins at GRIPS, located in central Tokyo, where participants study the foundations of policy analysis. Core courses include International Relations, International Security Studies , and International Law of the Sea , while elective courses cover topics such as International Political Economy , Military Operations, Strategy and Policy , and Non-Traditional Security. Participants enhance their fundamental understanding of international relations through courses at GRIPS. They also engage in case studies and simulations, analyzing legal and operational aspects of maritime law enforcement practices. This allows them to develop a scientific approach to policy-making. Second Term (April–July) – JCG Academy, Hiroshima Participants continue their studies at the Japan Coast Guard Academy in Hiroshima, where the program then shifts to practical learning. Core subjects such as Maritime Police Policy and Policy for Search & Rescue, Salvage, and Maritime Disaster Prevention provide them with insights from JCG’s operational lessons at sea. Participants also experience exercises using patrol vessel simulators for ship maneuverability and practical operation like a commanding officer on board who is required to perform technical and analytical skills for decision-making at the scene. Third Term (August–September) – GRIPS, Tokyo During their summer program term, participants conduct field studies by visiting JCG bases and facilities nationwide. As a conclusion to the program, each participant writes a policy paper, equivalent to a master-degree thesis, based on an individually selected research topic. Upon completion, graduates receive the Master of Policy Studies degree from GRIPS. Achievements The significance of the MSP lies not only in individual capacity development but also in the creation of an international network among coast guard leaders. Since the graduation of the initial class of ten officers, the program will have produced 78 graduates as of September 2025, representing 11 countries: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Palau, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. These graduates now form a vertical and horizontal network that spans a decade, each serving as a leading player of their respective organizations. Some alumni now hold key leadership positions in their home organizations and actively contribute to sharing the value of rule-based order. This growing network serves as a driving force to promote the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and to strengthen regional maritime cooperation. Conclusion Japan’s commitment to international cooperation in this maritime law enforcement field directly contributes to secure maritime governance. The MSP has successfully produced a new generation of leaders who will shape the future of coast guard organization. Graduates are serving as a foundation for designing and legitimizing maritime rule-based order through its global alumni and enduring professional network. Given the growing complexity and instability of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, the MSP initiative has proven indispensable—and their value will undoubtedly be recognized even more widely in the decade ahead. (Source) Japan Coast Guard Academy, “Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program” https://www.academy.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/education/organization/center/file/msp-pamphlet-en2022.pdf Japan Coast Guard, "Kaiho Journal vol.102" https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/doc/journal/kaiho-102_web.pdf Back to All JITTI Journals November 2025 Feature Article

JITTI Journal Cultural Article July 2022 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2022 Cultural Article Traveling with My Baby in Japan by Tomomi Dodd Recently I had a chance to travel to Japan with my husband and 4-month-old baby, and I would like to write about my experience of what it was like traveling there with an infant. Since I am working for a research institute dealing with transportation, I would like to focus on those parts of the trip. Our first and biggest challenge was a flight to Tokyo from Washington, D.C. (which took about 13 hours!). Of course, we were very nervous about flying with a 4 month old baby…..! We immediately reserved a bassinet through the ANA customer center after we booked the flights. On the day of, as having a baby allowed us prior boarding, we were better able to relax and prepare for seating. Upon boarding, ANA flight attendants gave us warm smiles, saying, “Is there anything we can do to help? Please let us know any time.” They attached a bassinet to the wall in front of us soon after the flight departed. Some bathrooms on the plane had a changing station for babies. Though the space was small like on any other airline, we had no problem working with what was provided. Despite of all of our anxieties, our baby was happy in general and slept well in the bassinet. The return flight was somewhat the same experience as well, and we did not have any major problems, luckily! A bassinet on the plane Though my family lives near Tokyo, we made an excursion to Kagoshima, Kyushu to see our college friend. On the way to Kagoshima from Haneda, I used Jetstar. On the way back, I used Skymark. Both of them are LCC. After experiencing a 13-hour flight, a 2-hour flight felt so easy! Baby slept for basically the whole time. I once asked the flight attendant for hot water to make a bottle for him, and they immediately worked on my request. Throughout my trip, I was amazed to see all the bathrooms and nursing rooms designed for parents and babies. There was a special chair designed to seat infants where you can safely place your baby while you use the bathroom. Airports and many shopping malls have large nursing rooms with good privacy, changing stations, and they are very clean. Changing stations From Left to Right: Nursing room, Microwave and hot water machine located in a nursing room, A chair to put an infant in a bathroom stall Traveling by train with a baby can be also very fun (except when it’s rush hour and the trains are full of people)! Some train cars have designated space for baby strollers. Almost every station has an elevator and escalator. And as you know, Japanese trains are very punctual. You can look for routes online in advance to minimize hassle! Assigned space for baby strollers and wheel chairs (left) and Escalator at a train station (right) Overall, I had a great time traveling with a baby in Japan. This may be because I am Japanese and do not have any language problems there. However, even a little hassle with the language could be a fun memory for traveling, don’t you think? I hope you will have opportunities to travel to Japan and have a great time, with or without babies! Baby slept well at a hot spring hotel after he enjoyed a bath

Read publications by JITTI USA staff that are outside of their regular reports, including of special projects. SPECIAL REPORTING Latest News June 2024 United States Coast Guard Academy Commencement: A New Era of Leaders in Maritime Security By Daisuke Komatsu Read More (English) (Image Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Academy) February 2024 The Shape of Happiness Through Keisuke Hira i's Lens: When Survivors Smile for the Camera By Daisuke Komatsu Read More (English) Read More (日本語) _

JITTI Journal Cultural Article March 2024 Back to All JITTI Journals March 2024 Cultural Article The Hina Hanging Decoration Festival in Izu Inatori By Tomomi Dodd What is the Hina Hanging Decoration Festival in Izu Inatori? You may have heard about “Hinamatsuri”, known as “Girl’s Day,” which is held on March 3rd to celebrate young girl’s health and happiness in Japan. The celebration typically entails displaying “Hinamatsuri” decorations with Heian-style dolls positioned on a red carpeted stand. They look pretty and they can be very expensive. Inatori Onsen, known as a hot spring resort in Shizuoka Prefecture on the edge of the Izu Peninsula, about 2 hours by train from Tokyo to the south , has its own unique tradition called the “ Hina Hanging Decoration Festival.” This unique hinamatsuri style in Izu Inatori started in late the Edo period when the public began making handmade dolls using scraps of kimono and sewing them onto long strips of cloth. There are about 25 kinds of doll designs and each has a meaning. For example, owls represent fortune and cranes represent longevity. This is the charm my mother got for me. From the top, the peach represents women. It wishes for longevity, health, and prosperity. The second is a crawling child. It represents healthy growth of children. Lastly, the bag represents money. The main event of the festival is held at “Bunka Koen Hina no Kan” in Inatori, usually from around mid-Jan till the end of March. A bonus tip is that if you go to Kawazu Station near Inatori, you can also see cherry blossom from early February, known as “Kawazu Zakura.” I visited Inatori in early 2020 right before the beginning of the pandemic and I had a fantastic time with rich cultural experiences, hot springs, cherry blossoms, and great seafood!!!!! How To Get To Izu Inatori: It takes about 2 hours to get to Izu Inatori station from Tokyo station. There are JR Shinkansen to Atami and you can take JR Express trains to Izu Inatori station. ( Izu peninsula is a windfall for the student of geology – EDUCATION IN JAPAN COMMUNITY Blog (wordpress.com) ) References: Hanging doll decorations | Inatori Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association

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JITI 2014 Intersections Series Mobility Innovation in the Sharing Economy February 5, 2014 The Brookings Institution, Saul/Zilkha room 1775 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. The potential changes from increased use of transportation services in the sharing economy include greater mobility for all, potential for change in urban lifestyles, and more efficient use of infrastructure. The development of mobile apps for ridesharing and carsharing has have led to a number of innovations in the availability of real-time transit and driving data, elevating awareness of mobility options, and the provision of transportation choices for individuals with access to fairly ubiquitous smartphone technology. These technologies enable those with such means to hail taxis, borrow cars, and better plan for transit or travel. A common undercurrent in the rise of these firms is a shift toward the needs of those who have demonstrated preferences toward urban lifestyles that are less dependent on cars, especially Millennials and Baby Boomers. Meeting this demand are firms that make it easier to navigate their communities and to avoid the capital-intensive costs of personal vehicle ownership. This change in ownership and reliance on vehicle-sharing or services approximating traditional taxi service could open up opportunities for more efficient use of current infrastructure, congestion mitigation, and air quality benefits. Although innovations in mobility could increase efficiency and convenience in the transportation sector, universal access and equity remain critical. Likewise, the safety of drivers, passengers, and the public at large will continue to figure prominently. This event will provide an opportunity to examine the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities presented by recent innovations in mobility. The JITI Intersections Series provides a platform for transportation experts across modes and industries to interact with fellow practitioners and policymakers. As a supplement to JITI’s signature seminars, this series will facilitate further opportunities for open dialogue and exchange of ideas to improve transportation outcomes. Keynote Speeches Joseph Kopser CEO, RideScout Adie Tomer Senior Research Associate and Associate Fellow, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program Tom Fairchild Director, Mobility Lab

The FAA continues to respond to the Boeing 737 MAX accidents that occurred in 2018 and 2019, and their proposed airworthiness directives published in August are one of their latest actions. Read more about what these directives say, and how they affect Boeing. < Back Civil Aviation Publication of the Boeing 737 MAX Proposed Airworthiness Directive and Recent Movements for Resuming Its Operation By Yoshihiro Fujimaki The FAA continues to respond to the Boeing 737 MAX accidents that occurred in 2018 and 2019, and their proposed airworthiness directives published in August are one of their latest actions. Read more about what these directives say, and how they affect Boeing. Download the Report

JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop 2018 Strengthening Railway Countermeasures against Hurricanes and other Disasters Thursday, December 6th, 2018 The Hay Adams Hotel 800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006 Large-scale water disasters caused by hurricanes, typhoons and other storms are occurring more frequently around the world with serious ramifications. They are showing an increasing tendency toward localized and concentrated heavy rain, and there are growing concerns about the intensified damage from water disasters including river flooding, inland water flooding, and storm surges. These situations are considered “a new stage” of water-related natural disasters and the direction and planning of countermeasures to them is essential. In the United States, Hurricane Michael was the fiercest storm to hit Florida in 80 years and caused severe damage in the area in 2018. Also, Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused extensive damages in 2017. These three storms became three of the top five worst hurricanes in the recorded history of the USA and caused tremendous amounts of damage. With regards to railway infrastructure, Hurricane Sandy caused billions of dollars in damages in 2012, with subways in NYC suffering serious damage due to the massive inflow of water into stations and tunnels. California also has been greatly affected by natural disasters, with 2018 seeing wide-spread forest fires, torrential rain, and a large-scale landslide that damaged or destroyed over 500 structures. In Japan, torrential rain devastated West Japan, in areas such as Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures in 2018. Train operators completely or partially suspended operations on more than a 100 lines due to the outflow of railroad bridges and the ground under railroad tracks. In 2015, record levels of torrential rains falling in the Kanto and Tohoku regions caused the floodwalls along an approximately 660-foot-long stretch of the Kinugawa River to collapse, resulting in flooding that submerged about 15 square miles of land. Moreover, the Great East Japan Earthquake resulted in the loss of countless number of lives and assets in 2011. It is also predicted that a Tokyo inland earthquake and a Nankai trough mega earthquake will occur in the future. For this workshop, JITI USA has invited experts on the countermeasures against hurricanes and other disasters from the U.S. and Japan to discuss the progress so far, especially milestones accomplished, as well as the future path for strengthening countermeasures against hurricanes and other disasters in the railway sector. Attendees Included: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the US Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the DC Department of Transportation, the World Bank, etc. Video and Audio Recordings 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Opening Remarks (English) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Keynote Speeches (English) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Panel Discussion (English) Play Video 2018 Disaster Prevention Workshop Video Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Opening Remarks (Japanese) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Keynote Speeches (Japanese) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Panel Discussion (Japanese) Play Video 2018 防災ワークショップ ビデオ Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close Opening Remarks Bio Tomomi Tsuchiya President, JITI USA Remarks Keynote Speeches Hampton H. Hart, Jr. Deputy Director, Technological Hazards Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Bio Presentation Bill Douglas Senior Risk Analyst, Risk Management, LA Metro Bio Presentation Takeshi Kawagoe Senior Chief Researcher, Head of Geology Laboratory, Disaster Prevention Technology Division, Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI), Japan Bio Presentation Panel Discussion and Q&A

JITTI Journal Cultural Article July 2023 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2023 Cultural Article Oshiro – Japanese Castles by Shinichiro Tsuri 1. Background Have you ever visited Japanese castles, called “oshiro” in Japanese? If you are interested in architecture or the history of Japan, castles may be one of the recommended spots to visit if you travel there. While various types of fortresses have been built since ancient times in Japan, the number of castles significantly increased during the Sengoku period (15th - 16th century), in which independent feudal lords fought each other over their land and resources. Due to factors such as Ikkoku Ichijo Rei (Decree of One Castle per Province) in the Edo period (1603 - 1867) and bombing during World War II, most of the castles were destroyed and currently there are only 12 castles towers (called “tenshu”) remaining that were built before or during the Edo period. 2. Example of a Japanese Castle – Himeji Castle Himeji Castle, which is in my hometown, was registered in 1993 as the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan and is one of the most famous castles among the 12 mentioned above. Since a fort was built on the top of Himeyama hill located in Harima Province (southwestern part of current Hyogo Prefecture) in the mid-14th century, it has been rebuilt and expanded, and the castle we see today was mostly erected during major construction in the early 17th century. Castle tower of Himeji Castle (by Shinichiro Tsuri) Elements and Areas of the Castle Speaking of Japanese castles, castle towers may come to mind first. However, castles typically consist of structures such as moats, (stone) walls, gates, and turrets in addition to castle towers. Territories bounded by moats and walls are called “kuruwa.” Himeji Castle has three layers of moats (the inner moat, middle moat, and outer moat) and kuruwas are surrounded by each moat (inner kuruwa, middle kuruwa, and outer kuruwa). The inner kuruwa, containing castle towers and the feudal lord’s residence, is the core of Himeji Castle. While the middle kuruwa was mainly assigned as the residences of upper- and middle-class vassals, the residences of lower-class vassals and townspeople were located in the area of the outer kuruwa, which formed the castle town of Himeji. The total area within the outer kuruwa surrounded by the outer moat reaches about 2.33 million square meters. Castle Tower – Symbol of the Castle A castle tower, also called “tenshu,” is symbolic architecture of the castle. While a castle tower in Japanese castles has a military function as a weapons store, its main purpose is to show wealth and power of the feudal lord. Himeji Castle has a coalition type castle tower comprising of a main castle tower and three small castle towers located on stone walls which are connected to each other with corridor turrets. Himeji Castle is often called “Shirasagi-jo” ( White Egret Castle) since its elegant white body appears to be a flying egret. Defensive Features As a military facility, Japanese castles have not only beautiful appearances, but also many features to defend against enemies. For example, you can see a number of unique shaped holes in the walls of Himeji Castle. They are called “sama” (loophole), which allows defenders to fire on attackers with arrows and firearms without exposing themselves; rectangular ones are for arrows (called “yazama”), and round, triangular, and square ones are for firearms (called “teppo-sama”). The white plaster covering Himeji Castle is used to enhance its fire resistance in addition to providing an elegant white appearance. The route leading to the main castle tower is winding, just like a labyrinth; attackers are trapped by dead-ends and confused by a downward slope that gives the impression that they are going the wrong way. Furthermore, attackers are forced to slow down and be exposed to defenders by multiple gates including ones with a low ceiling arranged on the route. Sama of Himeji Castle ( 姫路城の狭間（射撃用の穴） by Takobou is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 ) 3. Castle and Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace, located in the center of Tokyo, is the main place of residence for the Emperor of Japan. Whereas it is called the “imperial palace,” its features more closely resemble that of a feudal lord’s castle, as was explained above, such as moats, stone walls, and turrets. The reason this happened goes back to 1868, when Emperor Meiji moved to Tokyo from Kyoto following the Meiji Restoration. The Tokugawa shogunate was overthrown and their headquarters at Edo Castle turned into the new residence of Emperor Meiji. The original residence is still remaining in Kyoto, which is now called the Kyoto Imperial Palace – it does not have moats, stone walls, or turrets. It may be interesting to compare both imperial palaces in Tokyo and Kyoto keeping the features of Japanese castle in mind, if you ever have a chance to visit Japan. The Imperial Palace ( Seimon Ishibashi Bridge, Imperial Palace, Tokyo by . Ray in Manila is licensed under CC BY 2.0 ) The Kyoto Imperial Palace ( Imperial Palace by Daniel Gerhard is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 )