Vice President of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Professor Hitoshi Ieda and the President of the City Planning Institute of Japan, Takayuki Kishii led a group consisting in part of professors from Tokyo University to Taiwan to exchange disaster reconstruction methods and experiences.  Accompanied by the Deputy-CEO of the Reconstruction Council, Executive Yuan, Dr. Chern Jenn-Chuan, this group visited the Morakot reconstruction area on the 24th which included the remediation status of flood protection in the Cishan District of Kaohsiung, Shanlin Da Ai Permanent Housing, Yonglin Organic Agricultural Park, Xiaolin Second Village and Rinari and Wulaluzi Communities in Pingtung.  

Members of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers joined in the opening ceremony of Xiaolin Second Village, and when interviewed by local print media, expressed particularly that witnessing Taiwan’s reconstruction efficiency on the ground during this trip was something worth referencing in Japanese reconstruction.

Director of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Professor Kyuichi Maruyama stated that he learned one thing from the Morakot reconstruction process, which was the importance of communication between the government and residents.  Achieving effective utilization of limited resources to achieve the greatest benefit must rely on continuous communication.  He admired the patience and perseverance of Deputy-CEO Chern and the first line teamwork colleagues of the Reconstruction Council very much.  He will bring this experience back to Japan as a reference for reconstruction after the 311 disaster.

When the Japanese scholar delegation arrived at the Rinari Community in Pingtung, in addition to praising the comfortable and pleasant environment, they were also amazed at the creative home decorations infused with traditional indigenous cultural elements present in every home. This was a profound confirmation of the cultural furniture assistance provided by the Taiwanese government during the reconstruction process, in an effort to respect multiculturalism and to work towards the preservation of native cultures. 

Reconstruction Council Deputy-CEO Chern Jenn-Chuan explained that the government proceeded with post disaster reconstruction in the spirit of homeland security and restoration, to implement overall watershed management, combined with the concepts of sustainable development, growth management and risk management, hoping that during the post disaster reconstruction work, effective disaster prevention results can be simultaneously achieved.  Deputy-CEO Chern Jenn-Chuan further emphasized that post disaster reconstruction is not only the reconstruction of public works, but includes the goal of creating a self-developing, sustainable community to give residents the ability to truly live and work happily. 

Lastly, the Japan Society of Civil Engineers thanked the Reconstruction Council for its careful planning and again confirmed the active involvement of the Taiwan government in the reconstruction process.  They also expressed admiration for the care of the Taiwanese people and the robust NGO strength.  They will bring the Morakot reconstruction experience and information learned on this visit back to Japan to provide a reference for 311 post-disaster reconstruction and to share with academia.
 

Witnessing the joy expressed for the imminent completion of the new church before Christmas in the Rinari Community

Japanese scholars praise the traditional woodcarving class achievements of Wulaluzi Taiwu Elementary School students

Japan Society of Civil Engineers Delegation visits Chief Hsu Chun Mei of the Rinari