For nearly half a century, following completion of its original observation tower (1961) and main building (1968), Kyoto University Disaster Prevention Research Institute's Shirahama Oceanographic Observatory has served as an observation and research center for the Tanabe Bay area in Wakayama Prefecture. On 24 April, the Observatory acquired a new main building as part of initiatives -- launched in the wake of the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami -- to secure its functionality as a remote observation site and to upgrade its capabilities as a regional disaster-prevention center.
The opening of the new building was marked with a ceremony, facility tour, and party, with 55 guests taking part. Attendees included Mr Makoto Itani, mayor of Shirahama, and members of the local residents' association and the fishermen's cooperative. Kyoto University was represented by Executive Vice-Presidents Nagahiro Minato and Naoki Sato, together with officials from the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI).
From left: DPRI Director Kaoru Takara, Executive Vice-President Minato, Shirahama Mayor Itani, Professor Masaharu Fujita, Director of DPRI's Research Center for Fluvial and Coastal Disasters
Ceremony attendees
Shirahama Oceanographic Observatory's new main building
Commemorative group photo
