“Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair,” an event to promote and raise awareness of disaster preparedness, will be held at Mabi Fureai Park on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
This event has been held since fiscal 2022, and this year (fiscal 2024) marks its third edition.
As in the first edition, it is an event where everyone, from adults to children, can take part casually and enjoyably. The hands-on programs are also just as extensive as last time.
This time, the venue will be Mabi Fureai Park, which was completed just this July. The organizers also hope people from inside and outside the city will learn about “the disaster-prevention efforts of people in Mabi, who have recovered from the July 2018 Heavy Rain and are moving forward.”
Now, let’s take a look at the “Fiscal 2024 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair.”
The information presented was current when this article was published in November 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair”?
The “Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair” is an event organized by Kurashiki City to promote and raise awareness of disaster preparedness.
It will be held at Mabi Fureai Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
The grounds of Mabi Fureai Park will be divided into three areas—the lawn area, riverside area, and working vehicles area—with the following activities, centered on hands-on booths.
- Stage events
- Rescue and relief drills
- Booth exhibits where visitors can learn about disaster preparedness in an enjoyable way
- A gathering of working vehicles
- Prize drawing
- Food trucks
Exhibitor Booths
More than 50 sponsoring companies and organizations will put together engaging exhibits that make learning fun.
All exhibits focus on hands-on experiences, with a wide range of disaster-preparedness workshops.
As well as police cars and fire engines, which are popular with children, working vehicles that are not usually seen up close, such as Self-Defense Forces vehicles and aerial work platforms, will also be on display. Some will offer commemorative photo opportunities and rides.
The highlight this time is the “earthquake simulator vehicle.”
There are only two in Okayama Prefecture, and one of them will appear at the Disaster Prevention Fair. It will be a rare opportunity to “experience” a massive Nankai Trough earthquake.
Event Program
The event program includes stage events such as performances by a music corps, a puppet show, and a fun quiz contest, as well as rescue and relief drills by the fire department and pork miso soup prepared by the Self-Defense Forces.
We spoke with Takenami Masanao and Moriya Yutaka of Kurashiki City’s Disaster Prevention Promotion Division, Disaster Risk Management Office, who plan and run the “Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair.”
Interview with Kurashiki City Disaster Risk Management Office, Disaster Prevention Promotion Division
Could you tell us what led to the creation of the “Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair”?
Moriya (honorifics omitted)
Every autumn, Kurashiki City used to hold a “comprehensive disaster-prevention drill,” with the city, local residents, businesses, and partner organizations working together on evacuation drills and evacuation shelter management exercises.
I think this is a common challenge in every community, but thankfully, people who serve as community officers and those particularly interested in disaster-prevention activities have taken part in the drills every year.
On the other hand, we found it difficult to get people with less interest in disaster preparedness, especially families, to participate, and saw this as an issue.
So, starting in fiscal 2022, we planned the “Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair” to address this issue by first giving people a fun way to engage with disaster preparedness and encouraging their interest. We are working to broaden the reach of disaster-prevention activities.
What would you like participants to take away from the event?
Moriya
This year, the Noto Peninsula earthquake struck on New Year’s Day, and in August, information about a possible Nankai Trough earthquake was issued. I feel that people’s awareness of disaster preparedness is higher than ever.
However, I think many people don’t know exactly what to do or where to start, or want to learn more. The fair also introduces a wide range of disaster-preparedness supplies, so I hope people will look at them with their families and use that as an opportunity to prepare.
I also hope people will use hands-on experiences to think of what they learn as relevant to themselves, and connect it to self-help and mutual assistance, the basic principles of disaster-prevention activities.
Takenami
This time, we chose the subtitle “What We Can Do: Think Now, Protect the Future.”
Since the event is being held at Mabi Fureai Park, we discussed including the idea of “learning from the past.” But what we want everyone to learn through this event is what we can do right now.
That is why we chose “Think Now, Protect the Future.”
We want people to understand that what they think about now can help protect the future. We’d like them to take that first step toward disaster preparedness.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Moriya
About 15,000 people attended last year, and it was very well received.
This year’s booths offer more than just information—they include many hands-on activities. They’re fun, but you’ll also learn a lot.
There will also be a prize drawing with some fantastic prizes. You can enter by visiting the booths and collecting stamps.
This event is open to everyone, from young children to older adults, so please come to Mabi Fureai Park on Sunday, November 10.
We look forward to seeing you!!
From the Writer
I attended last year’s (fiscal 2023) Disaster Prevention Fair, and many people came to learn about and experience disaster preparedness in an enjoyable way.
What stood out was the large number of families, and I think it was a great success as an initiative to introduce people to disaster preparedness.
However, disaster-prevention efforts are constantly evolving, and new useful supplies and services are emerging. So even for those who have attended before, the fair is worthwhile as a way to learn about the latest initiatives.
I have also personally heard about and seen many local initiatives in the “Mabi Zone,” which could be considered this year’s highlight, so I’m glad that an opportunity has been created for many people to learn about them.
Why not visit the “Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair” as an opportunity to think once again about disaster preparedness?
Articles about the Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair
2024 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair Information
| Name | 2024 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair |
|---|---|
| Date | November 10, 2024 (Sunday) 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. |
| Location | 4629-1 Yata, Mabi, Kurashiki City |
| Admission (tax included) | Free |
| Website | Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair |
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