KYOTO－Kyoto Jichiroren held a symposium in Kyoto City on November 24 to discuss the issue of protection from disasters. Not only members of Kyoto Jichiroren but also lawyers, researchers and workers across the sectors participated in the symposium.

On behalf of the organizer, Professor at Kyoto University Tomohiro Okada posed questions about the role of local administration in case of natural disasters such as a typhoon or an earthquake, explaining the disaster situations in recent years.

In the symposium, President of Kyoto City Workers’ Union Yuko Nagato pointed out that the role of local governments has been significantly reduced by integrated services and job cuts. She also referred to the problem where refuges cannot be staffed in many local governments due to shortage of workers.