Due to its geographical location, Japan is exposed to typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. Since time immemorial, the survival of the Japanese people has depended on their ability to prepare for disasters, learn from those painful experiences, and transmit that knowledge from generation to generation as part of their cultural heritage. These elements combined have resulted in a unique Culture of Prevention, known in Japanese as “bosai culture”, encompassing technical measures and requirements, laws, and a strong civic culture that enables the country to face and learn from disasters. Exploring the roots of the Japanese Culture of Prevention by conducting a critical literature review, this article aims to improve our understanding of the Japanese perspective on Disaster Risk Reduction strategies and actions, by focusing on the cultural and religious influences, as well as on the solid national sense of belonging, embedded in the Japanese Disaster Risk Management system.

Global cities in the context of accelerated urbanization have to deal with more diverse risk factors than ever before, which highlights the need for a faster and more creative response capacity. Although it is necessary to strengthen technical systems, since they are surrounded by human systems, individual resilience will help to strengthen the community. The educational system is key to developing the human factor in a world where various systems in global cities are increasingly interconnected, which in turn increases risks. Japan is fostering a culture of disaster risk reduction in both the formal, non-formal, and informal education sectors, in which creativity and autonomy are key competencies. Tokyo is the highest populated metropolitan area globally, and its educational system is the international model for education in disaster risk reduction. Urban areas around the world face similar challenges and experience similar needs. This article addresses the challenges that the human factor faces in large cities and the possibilities of increasing resilience in both individuals and communities through Disaster Resilience Education (DRE), taking the Japanese educational system as a model.

As an economic, social, and cultural activity, tourism shapes the relationship between visitors and local communities in tourist destinations. While tourism generates economic growth and employment opportunities for residents, its benefits come with a social cost. This article highlights the results of an online survey that was carried out at the beginning of 2021 in the seven major Galician cities along the Route of Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St. James) in Spain, which is a historical, natural, and cultural tourist attraction that is inscribed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in the category of cultural assets. The goal of the research work was to get to know first-hand the opinion of local communities about the positive and negative effects of tourism in their cities, on the Route of Santiago, and in the region of Galicia as a whole. Research work shows that residents’ perception of tourism leans toward the positive side, although it also reveals the need for tourism planners to involve host communities in tourism development. This research study about a World Heritage site should prove useful for political decision makers, tourism planners, and experts, both in Galicia and elsewhere.

A lo largo de su historia Japón ha sufrido numerosos desastres, lo cual le ha llevado a desarrollar una cultura de prevención del riesgo de desastres y reducción de sus consecuencias. La definición de estrategias, la gestión del conocimiento adquirido a través de la experiencia, y el desarrollo de tecnologías para afrontar los desastres han convertido a esta nación en el referente internacional en materia de reducción del riesgo de desastres (RRD), mientras que su aportación conceptual ha permitido desarrollar una auténtica cultura de prevención del riesgo, frente al anterior enfoque en la recuperación post-desastre. Desde la década de 1980 Japón viene promoviendo la cooperación internacional en la reducción de riesgos de desastres utilizando dos estrategias. La primera a través del papel de liderazgo que el país ha asumido en materia de RRD en los foros internacionales, especialmente en el seno de la ONU, lo que le ha llevado a organizar en su territorio las tres Conferencias Mundiales sobre la Reducción del Riesgo de Desastres, de las que han salido tres documentos de referencia en la materia, el último de ellos el Marco de Sendai de 2015. El segundo pilar es su política internacional de cooperación al desarrollo, basada en el concepto de seguridad humana y canalizada a través de sus programas de ayuda oficial al desarrollo gestionados por la Agencia Japonesa de Cooperación Internacional (JICA). Todas estas acciones de RRD están alineadas con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) y la lucha contra el cambio climático.

We are at a turning point towards more sustainable socio-economic systems that will shape the future of the agri-food sector by configuring improved production models. This article contends that research, experimentation, vocational training, and cooperation are essential to carry out the transformations needed. To support this contention, this article assesses the evolution of Sa Granja from its creation in Menorca in 1922 until today and its transformation from a General Agricultural Station to a Rural Lab in line with the “living lab” model. It also explores the reasons that made Sa Granja become a benchmark for innovation and training and its contribution to Menorcan agriculture as well as to the transition to a more sustainable agriculture. Finally, some best practices that can be applied elsewhere are highlighted.

Los marcos normativos devienen cruciales para la gestión de desastres y protección civil. Este artículo analiza y compara la organización territorial y normativa en el ámbito de emergencias y protección civil de España y de Japón. Evaluando la respuesta y consecuencias del mayor desastre de este siglo en España por las inundaciones de la DANA de 2024 y comparándolo con la gestión realizada en Japón de algunos desastres, se identifica que, si bien ambos marcos normativos y de gestión son equiparables, en España existen carencias en coordinación y concienciación ciudadana, destacando la necesidad de actualización de protocolos de emergencias y educación preventiva. Por otro lado, Japón destaca en su mejora continua en gestión de desastres, su avanzada cultura de preparación y resiliencia, un sistema de alerta temprana eficiente y una sólida participación comunitaria. Esta investigación concluye que, basándonos en la respuesta a la DANA en Valencia, España debe reforzar la planificación territorial, educar a la población sobre riesgos y promover cambios estructurales para mejorar la resiliencia ante futuros desastres.