Prof. Masamitsu Onishi is a distinguished researcher at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, specializing in disaster risk reduction, national resilience policy, and community-based preparedness in Japan. His work centers on understanding and improving how policies, institutions, and individuals respond to catastrophic disasters—ranging from earthquakes to climate-induced hazards.
Following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Prof. Onishi has played a key role in shaping Japan’s national resilience strategies, including the Basic Plan for National Resilience. He advocates for “proactive disaster prevention”—investing in preparedness before disasters strike—and explores the balance between self-help, mutual help, and public help in disaster governance.
His research highlights the urgent need to bridge the responsibility gap between government and local communities and to promote inclusive, science-based approaches for disaster resilience. Through practical, community-engaged research, he pushes forward Japan’s efforts to adapt to increasing disaster risks in the era of climate change.
