Please note due to time differences, some experts given may not be able to respond immediately. Furthermore, for experts in Japan the situation there may prevent them from being able to respond. Contact Robin Bisson [r.bisson (at) researchsea.com] or Dr. Magdeline Pokar [m.pokar (at) researchsea.com] for any further information.
Prof. KURITA Satoshi, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
Prof. Kurita has conducted extensive research into the structural performance of buildings under both earthquake conditions and high winds.
Contact details -
Tel: +81-3-3260-4272
Prof. ITO Takumi, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
Prof. Ito is an expert on the structural performance of buildings in earthquakes, particularly focussing on steel structures.
Contact details –
Tel: +81-3-5228-8293
Available 8:00am～4:30pm JST
Email: t-ito(at)rs.kagu.tus.ac.jp
Prof. TSUKAMOTO Yoshimichi, Faculty of Science, Technology and Civil Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
Prof. Tsukamoto’s research field is geotechnical engineering, assessing slope stability and soil liquefaction under earthquake effects.
Contact details –
Tel: +81-4-7124-1501
Prof. TATSUOKA Fumio Faculty of Science, Technology and Civil Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
Prof. Tatsuoka is an expert in geotechnical engineering, particularly in ground improvement for infrastructure and earthquake resilience.
Contact details –
Tel: +81-4-7124-1501
Email: tatsuoka(at)rs.noda.tus.ac.jp
Prof. NIHEI Yasuo, Faculty of Science, Technology and Civil Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
Prof. Nihei’s expertise lies in water control science, focusing on river engineering and environmental hydraulics. In response to the disaster, Prof Nihei has made the following comments:
"In this disaster, the tsunami has caused huge damages in coastal areas located in Miyagi and Fukushima Prefecture. The wave height of the tsunami was more than 10m in several areas. A lot of buildings were washed away, due mainly to fluid drag from the tsunami as well as collisions from floating debris like trees and ships, buildings. These damages are almost of the same level as those of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004."
Email: nihei(at)rs.noda.tus.ac.jp
Dr. Mario Aurelio, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman
Dr. Aurelio’s expertise is in geohazard assessment and management (earthquakes, landslides, floods, etc.), structural geology, tectonics and geodynamics. Dr. Aurelio can be contacted by English and French speaking journalists.
Contact details –
Tel: +632-9242485
Telefax (Research Lab): +6329260246
Mobile: +639178242404
Email: maurelio.nigs(at)gmail.com/maurelio(at)nigs.upd.edu.ph
Dr. Rohan Samarajiva, Institute for Development Administration, Sri Lanka
Dr. Samarajiva is an expert on the use of ICT and early warning systems for natural disasters and was involved in research into reconstruction after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. In response to the disaster in Japan, Dr. Samarajiva has written two articles, comparing the initial effects to those in 2004 and commenting on the effectiveness of early warning systems:
http://www.researchsea.com/html/article.php/aid/5976/cid/2/
http://www.researchsea.com/html/article.php/aid/5986/cid/2/
Journalists are welcome to use these as a resource (links to the articles can be found below).
Contact details –
Tel: +94-11-267-5212
Email: samarajiva(at)lirne.net
Dr. V. Selvam, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, India
Dr. Selvam’s expertise lies in strengthening resilience to natural disasters. Dr. Selvam was involved in research into reconstruction after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Contact details –
Tel: +91-44-2254-1229/2254-2698
Email: vselvam45(at)hotmail.com
Dr.Vinya S. Ariyaratne, Executive Director, Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka
Dr. Ariyaratne was involved in research into recovery after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, particularly on building physical and social resiliency, and the use of ICT in early warning systems.
Comparing the Indian Ocean disaster of 2004 to the current situation in Japan, Dr. Ariyaratne made the following statements:
"I think although we have also experienced a Tsunami of similar magnitude, the context to be quite different in terms of management:
- It seems that the sheer magnitude of the disaster was much greater with the areas affected being much larger and some areas unreachable compared to Sri lanka where all areas were readily accessible within a few hours.
- Affected people could be reached by unaffected local communities themselves (living within a few meters/kms away) and the relief workers having setting up larger number of camps with fewer people than what we see in the shelters of Japan.
- The adverse whether conditions (cold, snowing) seen in Japan were not considerations."
Journalists are welcome to use these comments in reporting.
Contact details -
Tel: +94-11-2647159/2655255
Fax: +94-11-2656512
E-mail: vinya(at)sarvodaya.org
