Tokushima University held a liaison conference with high schools in Tokushima Prefecture on August 7th, 2026.
The conference has been held annually since 1998 with the aim of deepening mutual understanding through an open exchange of opinions on the current state of high schools education in Tokushima Prefecture and the current state of Tokushima University. Attending were 11 people from high schools, 27 people from Tokushima University, and 1 person from the Tokushima Prefectural Board of Education.
This year, the conference focused on the theme "Effective Articulation Between High School and University Education: Current Status and Challenges of Disaster Prevention Education." Presentations were given by Mr. Nishiura Toshiyuki, Principal of Tokushima Prefectural Johnouchi Secondary School, regarding initiatives for student disaster prevention education and the school's disaster prevention organization and systems; and by Assistant Professor Matsushige Maya of the Research Center for Management Disaster and Environment, Tokushima University, regarding practical disaster prevention and mitigation efforts centered on disaster-related oral traditions in Shikoku, as well as the establishment and operation of evacuation centers at Tokushima University.
In the subsequent exchange of opinions, participants discussed specific challenges facing universities and the respective high schools—such as differences in location, facilities, and educational content—as well as shared challenges, including the difficulty of viewing disasters as personal matters and taking proactive steps to prepare for them.
This conference served as an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of high schools, universities, and the local community collaborating on disaster preparedness education, with the aim of equipping every individual—students and staff alike—with the ability to make appropriate decisions and take the right actions during a disaster.
Scene from the liaison conference
