On 8 October, the Department of Japanese at FAH hosted a guest lecture entitled “The Nature and Climate and Natural Disasters of the Hokuriku Region Central Japan: Heavy Snow, Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanic Eruptions.” The lecture was given by Tsukawaki Shinji, professor emeritus of Kanazawa University in Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan. Prof. Tsukawaki is a specialist in Sedimentary Geology, Marine Geology and Regional Geology.
Prof. Tsukawaki’s lecture introduced the climate and geology of Japan with a focus on the unique climate and culture of the Hokuriku region in central Japan on the Sea of Japan coast. In the long north-south Japanese archipelago, from the subtropical climate of the Ryukyu Islands to the subarctic climate of Hokkaido, various types of climates can be found each with its own distinct characteristics. The Hokuriku region has one of the heaviest snowfalls in the world, and is blessed with beautiful and various natural environments. From ancient times to the present, the people living in this region have cultivated lifestyles adapted to this unique climate and developed their own culture including architecture, craftsmanship, clothing etc. Prof. Tsukawaki also introduced the major earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula on the 1st of January 2024, and other natural disasters in the Hokuriku region and Japan.
Around 40 students from the Department of Japanese and other departments attended Prof. Tsukawaki’s lecture. After Prof. Tsukawaki’s one-hour-long engaging lecture, many students raised questions and observations about the lecture topic such as disaster prevention and survival. The Q & A session lasted 30 mins and was a lively exchange of ideas and opinions.