Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (Mar 2011)

On 11th March 2011, a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the north-east of Japan, triggering a massive tsunami that claimed over 222,000 lives, washed away coastal cities, destroyed critical infrastructure and crippled thousands of businesses. Peace Boat/ PBV first dispatched members to the Tohoku region on March 17th, set up an operation base in Ishinomaki City and carried out diverse relief projects to help the communities for full recovery. The collaboration between the communities in the region and PBV/ Peace Boat continues to date. Visit the project page for full information.
Typhoon No. 12 (Talas), Wakayama Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2011)

Typhoon No. 12 (Talas), Wakayama Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2011)

After Typhoon No. 12 struck the Kii peninsula in September 2011, PBV activated its staff and volunteers to head to Kumanogawa town in Wakayama prefecture. Faced with a severe lack of manpower initially, experienced volunteers from the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami and youth volunteers from the Kansai region were swiftly gathered to help in the clean-up operations. The entire project lasted for two months.

Related articles:
Typhoon #12: Investigation of damage in Wakayama
Volunteers needed in Wakayama following Typhoon #12
Typhoon #12 in Wakayama: Field report and call for more volunteers
Typhoon #12 Wakayama: End of Volunteer Activities
Wakayama Typhoon No 12: Words from the Volunteer Coordinator

Heavy Snow, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (Feb 2012)

Heavy Snow, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (Feb 2012)

Faced with record snowfall, PBV activated volunteers to assist in snow shoveling and clearing in Ojiya city, Niigata prefecture. As there was a high proportion of elderly households in the city, it was extremely challenging for the local residents to clear the snow accumulated near their homes by themselves. Volunteers remained in Ojiya city for the three weeks with the heaviest snowfall until the tail-end of winter.

Related articles:
Volunteers wanted for snow shoveling! (Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture)
Snow Shoveling Volunteer Report (Ojiya City, Niigata)

Torrential Rains, Northern Kyushu Region, Japan (Jul – Aug 2012)

Torrential Rains, Northern Kyushu Region, Japan (Jul – Aug 2012)

In July 2012, the northern region of Kyushu experienced extremely heavy rainfall. PBV dispatched personnel and commenced emergency relief efforts immediately. For approximately one month, volunteers were involved in clean-up activities such as debris and mud removal. PBV also helped in the management of local volunteers via the disaster relief volunteer center set up. As it was the first time in the field for many of these local volunteers, PBV’s trained and experienced volunteer leaders teamed up with these local volunteers to deliver effective assistance to the affected population. PBV’s activities supported disaster relief efforts in Taketa city, Oita prefecture and Aso city, Kumamoto prefecture.

Related articles:
Kyushu Floods: Disaster Relief Activity Report

Torrential Rains in Shizuoka, Iwate, Yamaguchi Prefectures (Jul – Aug 2013)

Torrential Rains in Shizuoka, Iwate, Yamaguchi Prefectures (Jul – Aug 2013)

Between July and August 2013, many prefectures in Japan were hit by torrential rains. PBV dispatched volunteers in collaboration with local partners to assist communities hit by floods in these three prefectures. Support was provided in the management of the respective volunteer centers, the cleaning of homes as well as the provision of hot meals.

Related articles:
Shizuoka Flooding July 2013: Relief Activities Report
PBV Responds to Flooding in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Ishinomaki Fishermen join PBV relief team in Iwate Prefecture
Iwate Flooding: Relief Activities Report

Typhoon No. 18 (Man-yi), Shiga Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2013)
Typhoon No. 18 (Man-yi), Shiga Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2013)

Typhoon No. 18 struck Shiga prefecture in September 2013. Volunteers were sent to help clean homes and manage the disaster volunteer center set up in Koga city.

Typhoon No. 26 (Wipha), Izu Oshima island, Tokyo, Japan (Oct 2013)

Typhoon No. 26 (Wipha), Izu Oshima island, Tokyo, Japan (Oct 2013)

Typhoon No. 26 severely affected Izu Oshima, an island located around 100 km away from the central Tokyo, triggering a devastating landslide in October 2013. PBV launched extensive relief operations in Izu Oshima, with the entire operation lasting more than three months.

Related article:
Oshima Relief – Final Project Report

Heavy snow, Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan (Feb 2014)
Heavy snow, Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan (Feb 2014)

Heavy snow fell in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures in February 2014. PBV activated more than 20 volunteers to Oyama town, Shizuoka prefecture, and Hokuto city, Yamanashi prefecture to assist in the clearing of snow and the management of the disaster volunteer centers.

Torrential rain, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2014)
Torrential rain, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2014)

Torrential rains hit Hyogo prefecture in August 2014. PBV carried out disaster relief activities in Tanba city, Hyogo prefecture, specifically to deal with the flooding that had occurred.

Typhoons No. 11 and 12 (Halong and Nakri), Tokushima Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2014)
Typhoons No. 11 and 12 (Halong and Nakri), Tokushima Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2014)

Typhoons 11 and 12 struck Tokushima prefecture in August 2014. PBV activated its staff and volunteers to render aid in Anan city.

Landslides, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2014)

Landslides, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2014)

In the immediate aftermath of the landslides that struck Hiroshima prefecture in August 2014, PBV mobilized and commenced emergency relief operations in Asaminami ward, Hiroshima city. PBV’s team worked closely with the city social welfare council and other organizations to run the Asaminami ward disaster relief volunteer center. Through this center, PBV coordinated disaster relief volunteer operations and matched the needs of the affected community with the volunteers who came from across the country.
Additionally, PBV established the “Dandan Café”, a public space for disaster-affected residents to come together. A total of 3,124 meals were served in 13 locations. PBV also helped to disseminate information about government insurance schemes, reconstruction plans and other news. Partnering with other organizations, PBV was able to offer much-needed support to many community members.

Related articles:
Hiroshima Landslides: PBV Emergency Response
Hiroshima Landslide Relief Update

Nagano earthquake, Nagano Prefecture, Japan (Nov 2014)
Nagano earthquake, Nagano Prefecture, Japan (Nov 2014)

After an earthquake struck Hakuba, Nagano prefecture, PBV provided aid to affected communities.

Torrential rains, Kanto and Tohoku regions, Japan (Sep 2015)

Torrential rains, Kanto and Tohoku regions, Japan (Sep 2015)

The Kanto and Tohoku Regions were hit by record rainfall in September 2015, affecting many prefectures in these two areas. This was the worst flooding since the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami. PBV assisted local communities in the running of volunteer centers and in cleaning up homes that had suffered flood damage. It also played a pivotal role in matching available resources (manpower, food, appliances such as washing machines) with existing needs, ensuring a steady flow of information among local communities, NPOs, and volunteers.

Related article:
Emergency Response: Flooding In Ibaraki, Miyagi & Tochigi Prefectures

Kumamoto earthquake, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan (Apr 2016)

Kumamoto earthquake, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan (Apr 2016)

In April 2016, two magnitude 7 earthquakes struck Kumamoto prefecture. More than 1500 aftershocks were also recorded, with almost 200,000 people being forced to evacuate and 8000 over houses completely destroyed. PBV launched a 9-month long project that covered a wide range of relief activities. Besides distributing food and daily necessities, PBV also assisted in the running of disaster relief volunteer centers, the building of temporary housing, as well as the cleaning up of homes. As many medical facilities could no longer function, PBV identified a specific need pertaining to daycare services for young children with disabilities, sending experienced and qualified volunteers to provide such services in the affected communities.

Related articles:
Kumamoto Earthquake: Emergency Response
Kumamoto Earthquakes, One Week On
Two years after the Kumamoto earthquake, staff interview
Two Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake, The State of Kumamoto

Typhoon No. 10 (Lionrock), Iwate Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2016)
Typhoon No. 10 (Lionrock), Iwate Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2016)

Typhoon No. 10 that struck on 30 August 2016 resulted in the breaking of riverbanks and flooding in Iwazumi town, Iwate prefecture. At the request of Japan Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (JVOAD), PVB was asked to set up an aid network to support the communities affected by flood damage. While operating the disaster relief volunteer center, PBV played a pivotal role in listening to the needs of residents and trying to meet them.

North Kyushu Torrential Rains, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan (Jul 2017)

North Kyushu Torrential Rains, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan (Jul 2017)

Record rainfall fell in northern Kyushu on 5 July 2017. More than 2,800 houses were damaged and over 2,000 residents were forced to evacuate as floodwaters swept through the area. PBV provided assistance in Toho village and Asakura city, Fukuoka Prefecture, through the operating of the disaster relief volunteer center, donating of daily necessities, and the establishment of an agricultural volunteer center to support local farmers. These efforts were made possible through collaborations with the local social welfare council, local government officials, and NGOs.

Related articles:
Northern Kyushu Flooding and Landslides: Emergency Response
Letter from Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Typhoon No. 21 (Lan), Mie Prefecture, Japan (Oct 2017)
Typhoon No. 21 (Lan), Mie Prefecture, Japan (Oct 2017)

Super Typhoon No. 21 caused widespread damage in prefectures in the Kinki and Tokai regions. In response to requests of assistance from the Shinsai Ga Tsunagu Zenkoku Network, PBV dispatched staff members to affected areas in Tamaki town, Mie prefecture. With the record heavy rain inundating many houses, PBV assessed the situation and provided advice on how to deal with the water damage suffered and preventive measures that households could take in the future.

North Osaka Earthquake, Osaka Prefecture, Japan (Jun 2018)
North Osaka Earthquake, Osaka Prefecture, Japan (Jun 2018)

The Kansai region was hit with a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on 18 June 2018. Particularly in Osaka prefecture, as many as 53,000 houses were partially destroyed. PBV worked with other relief groups to share information and quickly ascertained the most pressing needs of those affected. One of the areas identified was that of leaking roofs. While no visible damage could be seen, damage to roofs were caused leakages, making these houses inhabitable whenever it rained. PBV worked with organizations that had the technical expertise to lay out blue tarpaulin on roofs to help prevent any water seepage. Visits were also carried out to individuals who needed special assistance to see to their needs.


West Japan Torrential Rains, Okayama Prefecture, Japan (Jul 2018)

West Japan Torrential Rains, Okayama Prefecture, Japan (Jul 2018)

Western Japan was at the heart of record-breaking and widespread rainfall between 28 June and 8 July 2018. Emergency warnings for heavy rain were announced in eleven prefectures including Hiroshima, Okayama, and Ehime, with many areas seeing extensive damage from overflowing rivers and landslides. 237 people lost their lives, with 6,767 buildings completely destroyed and 11,243 partially so. Working in Kurashiki and Soja cities in Okayama prefecture, PBV supported the reconstruction of homes, life in evacuation centers, as well as facilitated offers of support and provisions to match them to local needs and requirements.

Related articles:
Emergency Response: Flooding in Western Japan
Emergency Response: Japan Floods 2018 [Update]
[Flooding in Western Japan] Call for International Volunteers
[Flood in Western Japan] Call for International Volunteers_October
[Flooding in Western Japan] Helping Hands Beyond Borders and Nationalities
[Flood in Western Japan] Project Period Extended until March!
[Flood in Western Japan] Call for International Volunteers: January 2019
[Western Japan Flooding] We Need More Volunteers!
[Western Japan Flooding] Meet the PBV Volunteers! Introducing James
[Western Japan Flooding] Meet the PBV Volunteers! Introducing Michael
[Western Japan Flooding] Meet the PBV Volunteers! Introducing Harshil
[Western Japan Flooding] Interim Project Report: Flood Relief Efforts in Western Japan
Interim Project Report


Eastern Iburi Earthquake, Hokkaido, Japan (Sep 2018)

Eastern Iburi Earthquake, Hokkaido, Japan (Sep 2018)

On 6 September 2018, the eastern part of Iburi, Hokkaido, was struck by a magnitude 6.7 earthquake. Buildings were destroyed and landslides damaged the nearby towns of Atsuma, Abira, and Mukawa. With the exception of its outlying islands, the rest of Hokkaido experienced power outages. PBV launched relief efforts by supporting life at evacuation centers, furnishing of temporary communal areas, as well as battling the cold for those living in temporary housing.

Related article:
Emergency Response: 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake

North Kyushu Torrential Rains, Saga Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2019)

North Kyushu Torrential Rains, Saga Prefecture, Japan (Aug 2019)

End August 2019, record-breaking rainfall fell in the Northern Kyushu region. In particular, Saga prefecture was hit by landslides, overflowing riverbanks, and flood damage to houses. PBV provided logistical and managerial support for evacuation centers and helped with the cleaning up of houses in Takeo city.

Related article:
CALL FOR DONATIONS: Heavy rains in Northern Kyushu 2019

Typhoons No. 15 and No. 19 (Faxai and Hagibis, respectively), Chiba Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2019 - ongoing)

Typhoons No. 15 and No. 19 (Faxai and Hagibis), Chiba Prefecture, Japan (Sep 2019 – ongoing)

Typhoons 15 and 19 struck the Kanto region a month apart in September and October 2019 respectively. One severely affected area was Chiba prefecture. Due to the strength of the typhoons, many roofs had been blown away from houses, resulting in water seepages and difficulties for residents to live in their homes whenever it rained. To tackle this problem, PBV partnered with other relief organizations and gathered staff members who had expertise in roof building and maintenance to fortify existing roofs and build sturdier ones. Beyond this, PBV also helped manage the newly formed Southern Chiba Disaster Relief Volunteer Center to coordinate aid efforts throughout the area and share expertise and experiences. The project does not only focus on the temporary repairing of the roofs but also focus on capacity building of local residents to prepare for the future disasters. This project is supported by various donors and grantors including the US-based Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

Related articles:
Emergency Assistance: Post-typhoon Blackouts in Chiba
Call for donations: Emergency Fund for Typhoon Relief in Japan
Updates on Typhoon Hagibis Relief: New Grant Awarded for Projects in Iwaki and Chiba
Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis: Local volunteers take the lead for full recovery of Chiba communities

Typhoon No. 19 (Hagibis), Fukushima Prefecture, Japan (Oct 2019)

Typhoon No. 19 (Hagibis), Fukushima Prefecture, Japan (Oct 2019 – ongoing)

Typhoon No. 19 also struck Fukushima prefecture in October 2019. In Iwaki city, PBV worked with the Iwaki city social welfare council to match the needs of residents with resources available. PBV carried out a wide ranging relief operations in collaboration with the local authority, other humanitarian organizations and local residents. Food distribution, cleaning up of houses as well as the setting up of temporary communal areas were also activities that PBV participated in to support the local community. More than 2,300 volunteers from Japan and overseas joined in diverse projects in Iwaki. This project is also supported by various donors and grantors including the US-based Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

Related articles:
Call for Volunteers! Typhoon 19 Emergency Relief in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture: 15-17 Nov., 2019
Call for volunteers and donations! Typhoon Relief 2019
Typhoon Hagibis Situation Update: Relief activities in Iwaki
Typhoon Relief in Iwaki: Project period extended and more volunteers sought
Activity Summary: Typhoon Relief in Iwaki, Fukushima
Typhoon Hagibis: Helping Iwaki community get back on its feet

Torrential Rains, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan (July 2020)

Torrential Rains, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan (July 2020 – ongoing)

Prolonged rainy season with torrential rains in 2020 brought severe floods in the southern and western Japan amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Kumamoto Prefecture was the worst-hit with loss of 65 lives. Due to the pandemic, PBV first started providing expertise and supplies to the humanitarian organizations based in Kumamoto and surrounding prefectures, then dispatched experienced staff members who had been tested negative for COVID-19 after the official request from the local authority of Kuma-mura, Kumamoto Prefecture. The dispatched members engaged in supporting operations at an evacuation center until its closure in the end of October. Another team continues to second in Hitoyoshi-city, Kumamoto prefecture, to coordinate the activities of the local volunteer center. The project has been supported by various donations and grants, including Japan Platform.

Related articles:
Call for Donations: Emergency Relief for Torrential Rains and Flooding in Kyushu 2020
July 2020 Torrential Rains: PBV’s Relief Projects Launched
[Torrential Rain in July 2020] PBV launches relief efforts in Kuma-mura, Kumamoto Prefecture
Update: Relief efforts in Kumamoto continue

Fukushima Prefecture Offshore Earthquake, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan (Mar 2021)

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck offshore east of the Tohoku region on February 13, 2021, and damaged more than 20,000 houses in the region.
In response to a request from the Yamamoto-cho Social Welfare Council (Miyagi Prefecture), PBV has implemented relief activities by experienced staff on March 8 to put up tarpaulins on damaged roofs. PBV has been working on relief projects in Chiba, where houses were severely damaged by typhoons since the autumn of 2019 and contributed to the capacity building of local volunteers who can respond to the damage on houses. The PBV staff members who have experience and expertise developed during the relief efforts in Chiba have been dispatched to Yamamoto-cho to train the members of local and national support organizations, such as the Yamamoto-cho Social Welfare Council, Yamamoto-cho Town Office, JVOAD, and Miyagi-based non-profit organization OPEN JAPAN.

Related articles:
Emergency Relief for 2021 Fukushima Prefecture Offshore Earthquake





Torrential rain has triggered floods and landslides in many parts of Japan since August 11, 2021. Record-breaking rainfall caused severe damages to communities in western Japan, especially in the northern Kyushu regions. Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV) implemented the disaster relief project in Omachi-cho, Saga prefecture. The area had experienced floods in 2019 and the PBV carried out relief projects back then in cooperation with the local authorities, volunteers, and various networks. This region was still recovering from the flood in 2019 August and there were some newly built houses, which were just recovered from the previous flood disaster. However, the damage was more severe this time. Just within 8 days (from August 11 to 18), total rainfall recorded 1,035mm, which was almost 2/3 of the yearly rainfall in this region. The flood level was doubled, and broader regions got damages. However, due to COVID-19, volunteers outside the prefecture could not come. The PBV implemented the relief projects from August 18 to January 11 in 2022, helping in coordination and collaboration with other support organizations, the management of the supports for evacuees at home, the management of delivery of relief items and supports, and operation at shelters amid COVID-19.

Related articles:
Recovering from Flooding: Support Materials from Japanese Civil Society
(https://pbv.or.jp/en/news/recovering_from_flood2021/)
Emergency Relief Fund for the August 2021 Heavy Rain and Flood Launched
(https://pbv.or.jp/en/news/august2021_flood01/)
Certificate of appreciation from Saga Prefecture
(https://pbv.or.jp/en/news/appreciation_saga2021/)