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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, SPORTS AND CULTURE 1995 > Special Report 1 (1)

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Special Report. The Response of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
1. The Extent of Damage and Emergency Measures in the Immediate Aftermath
(1) Cooperation in Relief Activities


The number of people forced to live in evacuation centers owing to the loss of their homes reached a peak of approximately 317,000 on January 23. Between 50% and 70% of these people were evacuated to educational facilities, such as elementary schools, lower and upper secondary schools, and social education facilities. At one point the number of people lodged in such facilities exceeded 180,000. Most staff members of the educational facilities used as evacuation centers were involved in relief activities and contributed significantly to the operation of these centers.

The education sector also responded to shortages of food, water, blankets, and other daily necessities in the disaster area. Supplies were provided continuously by universities, national youth education facilities, and other institutions in the Kinki region and beyond. Training ships from national universities and colleges of technology were used to transport supplies. Supplies originally intended for use in school meals were provided on an emergency basis by the National Stadium and School Health Center of Japan and other organizations. Prefectural and municipal boards of education in Hyogo Prefecture were requested to use school lunch facilities to cook meals for evacuees. Approximately 600,000 meals were prepared by 66 municipalities.

Many students were among the large number of volunteers involved in relief efforts in the disaster area. Universities and other educational institutions were asked to facilitate student participation in these efforts by recognizing volunteer activities as part of class activities.


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