The Japan situation: UCL symposium and fundraiser

Links: UCL and Japan

redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now/Make-a-single-donation/Japan-Tsunami-Appeal" target="_self">Red Cross Japan Tsunami appeal

Getting to the JZ Young Lecture Theatre

UCL is holding a symposium on the current situation in Japan. It will take place on March 22 at 4.20pm in the JZ Young Lecture Theatre.

The symposium is being organised by Professor Shin-ichi Ohnuma (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology), Dr Yoshiyuki Yamamoto (UCL Cell and Developmental Biology), and Dr Taku Fujiyama (UCL Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering).

There will be a fundraising element to the event and all proceeds will go to the Red Cross appeal for those suffering the devastating consequences of the tsunami, earthquake and nuclear power plant explosions in the Tohoku area of Japan.

Dr Fujiyama explained: "This symposium has been put together as a response to the recent major earthquake in Japan. It will cover the current state of the area and give some lessons from a previous major earthquake, the Hyogo earthquake."

"It will also give attendees a better idea about UCL's historical link with Japan, particularly in the Tohoku region, which has been the worst affected. UCL exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding with the area's key regional university, Tohoku University, only last month. The attendance and support of UCL staff at this symposium will be greatly appreciated."

The programme for the symposium is as follows:

16:20 - Introduction

Professor Derek Tocher (Pro-Provost, UCL, East and South East Asia)

16:30 - UCL's links with Japan

Professor Shin-ichi Ohnuma (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology)

16:45 - The current state of Tohoku University and Sendai 

Dr Masanori Takahashi (UCL National Institute for Medical Research)

17:00- The Kobe earthquake

Professor Hiramatsu (Director, JSPS London)

17:20 - The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami

Professor Peter Sammonds (UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction)

18:00 - Closing statements 

For further information, please contact Professor Ohnuma by emailing s.ohnuma@ucl.ac.uk or calling  +44 (0)207 608 4062

Image: Photo of Japan taken by satellite, May 2010