Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA, was invited to the Symposium on "Wakayama: the Prospective Center of Space Education and Disaster Prevention Study " which was held on February 22nd, 2014 at Wakayama University, Japan.

The objectives of the Symposium was to raise awareness about the effectiveness of utilizing space infrastructure in disaster monitoring, the importance of sharing international knowledge in ASEAN and East Asian countries about the feasibility study on utilization of space infrastructure in disaster monitoring , and to promote space and disaster prevention training and contribution in the capacity building of ASEAN and East Asian countries.

The panelists in the Symposium were H.E. Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, Member of the House of Representatives, Japan (Chairman of Parliamentary League for ERIA), Prof. Takanori Matsui, Director of Planetary Exploration Research Center, Chiba Institute of Technology, Mr. Kenji Yamamoto, President of Wakayama University and Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA.In his presentation, Prof. Nishimura explained ERIA's activities and research projects on disaster management and prevention which have been on going since 2011. He said that "Utilizing space satellites and infrastructure will create benefit for disaster prevention in ASEAN countries and it would be practicable idea."Around 250 participants attended the Symposium and discussed about the utilization of space satellites for disaster prevention.The Symposium noted the importance of sharing of knowledge and technology transfer to ASEAN and East Asian countries and expected ERIA's support in realizing this objective.