Mountains and Disaster Preparedness

On 4 December 2025, the 7th National “Mountain Day” Forum, themed “Mountains and Disaster Preparedness,” was held in Shinjuku, Tokyo, organized by the Japan Mountain Day Foundation.

Japan is widely recognized as a country highly exposed to natural hazards. Approximately 7 percent of the world’s active volcanoes are located in Japan, and the country also faces growing risks from earthquakes and climate such as  heavy rainfall and typhoons. At the same time, these powerful natural forces shape Japan’s mountain landscapes and provide essential benefits such as water resources, geothermal energy, and rich ecosystems that support daily life.

Against this backdrop, the forum explored a central question:
How should people living in and downstream of mountain regions understand disaster risks, and how can they better prepare to protect lives?

Speakers from science, medical practice, and disaster-response fields shared insights based on research, frontline medical practice, and firsthand experience. Topics included, 

– the potential risks of a major Mount Fuji eruption, 
– emergency support led by volunteer organizations,
– lessons from the Nepal earthquake, 
– the activities of DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Teams

Discussions also highlighted how outdoor and mountaineering experience can be applied to everyday disaster preparedness, as well as the increasing severity of weather-related disasters under climate change.

Across all sessions, two key messages were emphasized: personal preparedness is essential, and experience gained through engagement with mountains and nature is practical knowledge that can save lives.

The forum reminded participants that disaster preparedness is not extraordinary, but an integral part of everyday life in a mountainous country like Japan, and reaffirmed the importance of connecting mountains, people, and preparedness to build a more resilient society.

On Monday, October 13 (Sports Day public holiday), a walking event organized by Shioya Town, Tochigi Prefecture, was held with a total of 330 participants.
Three courses were offered—4.5 km, 10 km, and 18 km—allowing participants of all ages and fitness levels to take part. 

Surrounded by expansive rural landscapes, participants enjoyed walking through Shioya Town while taking in the beautiful autumn countryside scenery.
The 18 km course included a route along the Kinugawa River, passing by the Sanuki Stone Buddhas—a nationally designated historic site featuring Buddhist figures carved into a towering rock face. 

Following the walking event, 

the “Mountain Day Forum 2025 – Mountains and Health,”

hosted by the Japan Mountain Day Foundation, was held.Program：

1. Lecture:
   “How to Walk for Better Health”
   Ms. Mayuko Ando
   (PhD in Physical Education, Certified Health Exercise Instructor, Certified Mountain Guide)
2. Talk Show:
   “Mountaineering as a Lifelong Pursuit – Enjoying It for Years to Come”
   Ms. Ayako Kobayashi

Ms. Ayako Kobayashi, a renowned actress best known for her leading role in the NHK morning television drama Oshin, also serves as a Mountain Day Ambassador.
She shared her personal philosophy that “mountaineering is my life’s work,” speaking about the joy of continuing to enjoy mountains throughout one’s life. Oshin is a Japanese serialized morning television drama that originally aired on NHK from 1983 to 1984.　The series, consisting of 297 episodes, follows the life of its protagonist from the Meiji era to the early 1980s.
It became one of the most widely watched television dramas in Japan and has since been broadcast in 68 countries worldwide, with subtitles in languages ranging from English to Arabic.

On 6 December 2025, the Japan Mountain Day Foundation (JMDF) hosted the International Mountain Day 2025 Symposium: “Mountains and Water – Considering Glaciers and Watershed Communities” in a virtual format from Tokyo, Japan. Bringing together leading scientists and mountain practitioners, the event highlighted how glaciers, watersheds, and local communities are interconnected and why safeguarding mountain water cycles is essential for our collective future.

The symposium was organized to mark International Mountain Day (IMD),　also to commemorate the event celebrating Japan’s accession to the Mountain Partnership in April 2025. As JMDF’s inaugural MP-related public programme, it aimed to strengthen Japan’s contribution to global mountain initiatives. Approximately 150 participants joined the study from across Japan.

Keynote speaker Professor Dr. Emeritus Osamu Matsuda (Hiroshima University), a leading scholar of SATOUMI and watershed culture, emphasized that “mountains are living reservoirs that nurture biodiversity, culture, and community identity.” Drawing from decades of fieldwork, he described how mountain–sea linkages shape daily life and why traditional knowledge remains vital for environmental stewardship.

The second keynote was delivered by Professor Dr. Daniel Hunkeler (University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland), who presented recent findings on the impact of climate change on groundwater recharge and glacier-fed river systems. He noted that shrinking glaciers will transform water availability across Asia and require new, collaborative approaches: “Only by integrating hydrology, community knowledge, and policy frameworks can we build resilience in mountain regions.”

The programme concluded with a panel discussion examining the future of watershed communities in Japan and beyond. The panelists underscored the importance of education, youth engagement, and cross-regional learning to strengthen adaptive capacity. Participants also discussed the need for international cooperation so that diverse mountain communities can speak with “one mountain voice.”

The symposium marked a major milestone for the JMDF. Japan is the only country in the world with a national holiday dedicated to mountains—“Mountain Day” on 11 August. By aligning this national initiative with IMD and the Mountain Partnership, JMDF seeks to amplify Asia-Pacific perspectives and contribute more actively to global mountain advocacy efforts.

JMDF President Masahiko Kaji stated, “Mountains sustain not only ecosystems but also our cultures and future generations. As a Mountain Partnership member, Japan is committed to connecting science, policy, and society to safeguard the world’s mountain environments.”

Comprehensive recordings, programme details, and speaker profiles are available on the JMDF website.

Read more:https://yamanohi.net

Mountain Day – August 11

Since the establishment of the national holiday Mountain Day in 2016, the Mountain Day National Convention have been held annually on August 11.
This year, more than 500 participants—including government officials, local citizens, and mountain and nature enthusiasts gathered in Ōno, Fukui.The 10th Convention in 2026 will be hosted in Takayama, Gifu. At the Ōno venue, the symbolic mountaineering hat of the Convention was ceremonially passed from Governor Sugimoto of Fukui to Governor Ezaki of Gifu, the host of next year’s convention.

Governor Ezaki of Gifu delivered the address

Message from the Governor of Gifu

Mountains have long been the very source of human life, providing food, water, timber, and protection from natural hazards. Japan remains a nation of forests, with 67% of its land covered by woodland, and in Gifu this figure reaches 81%. Safeguarding and nurturing these forests is our solemn responsibility. Yet today, many regions face challenges of overplanting and underharvesting, leaving valuable resources untapped due to a lack of successors to manage the mountains.

As we look ahead to the 10th Mountain Day National Convention in Gifu, our theme will be: “Transforming gratitude for the mountains into action.”

The historic city of Hida-Takayama, known worldwide, will serve as the stage from which we share Japan’s mountain culture and our responsibilities for the future with the international community. Learning from the excellent example set by Fukui, we pledge to take up this relay baton with full dedication and make thorough preparations for the convention.

Introduction to Gifu

Gifu is located in the very heart of Japan, surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges of the Northern Japan Alps. With 81% of its land covered by forests, Gifu is often called “the Land of Mountains.” The prefecture is rich in cultural heritage, traditional crafts, and history, while also serving as a center of sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship. Its mountains, rivers, and hot springs continue to attract visitors seeking both natural beauty and cultural depth.

Introduction to Takayama

Takayama, nestled in the Hida region of northern Gifu, is internationally renowned as a cultural tourism destination. Often referred to as “Little Kyoto of Hida,” the city preserves beautifully maintained traditional townscapes, including merchant houses from the Edo period. Takayama hosts the Takayama Festival, considered one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals, and serves as a gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go. With its rich history, warm hospitality, and proximity to the Japanese Alps, Takayama welcomes visitors from around the world as a living symbol of Japan’s mountain culture.

The International Year of Mountains was proposed at the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and was officially designated by the United Nations in 2002. The UN resolution called for the implementation of events and activities worldwide to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable mountain development.

In Japan, a symposium commemorating the International Year of Mountains was held in 2002, where a proposal was made to establish a national holiday celebrating mountain.

On January 30, 2023, UN passed a resolution to declare December 11 as International Mountain Day.

Later, at the International Year of Mountains +10 event in 2012, a declaration was issued advocating for the creation of a national holiday dedication to mountains, leading to the establishment of Mountain Day as a national holiday in 2016. Thus, Mountain Day and the International Year of Mountains are deeply interconnected.

In 2022, the Japan Mountain Day Foundation hosted a symposium in Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture, to commemorate the International Year of Mountains +20.

Looking ahead, we will continue to actively promote international mountain conservation and awareness activities, particularly around the International Year of Mountains and International Mountain Day (December 11).

Notably, our organization is the third Japanese entity to join the Mountain Partnership, following the United Nations University and the Hokkaido Intellect Tank.

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# FAO Mountain Partnership

# International Year of Mountain

# International Mountain Day

We are pleased to announce that the Japan Mountain Day Foundation has been officially approved as a member of the Mountain Partnership, a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable mountain development worldwide.

Through this membership, we will actively share Japan’s mountain-related natural, social, and cultural initiatives with the international community, and strengthen collaboration with organizations and institutions around the world working for the well-being of mountain regions. We are committed to contributing to the United Nations’ goal of achieving Sustainable Mountain Development.

This achievement would not have been possible without the understanding and support of all those who have upheld the vision of Mountain Day. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us.

Moving forward, we will continue working together with diverse partners both in Japan and overseas to help shape a sustainable future for mountains. 

We sincerely appreciate your continued support.

April 2025

Masahiko Kaji
Representative Director, Japan Mountain Day Foundation