NRCT Discusses Research Cooperation with Japan’s NIED to Strengthen Disaster Early Warning and Response in Thailand
19 October 2026
On 4 October 2026, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), led by Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, welcomed a delegation of executives and researchers from Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED), led by Mr. Kazumi Shindo, Executive Vice President. The delegation included Dr. Shohei Matsuura, Deputy Director-General; Mr. Takashi Okabe, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning Department, International Affairs Division; Ms. Hiroko Muromachi, Specialist in Disaster Prevention; Dr. Kentaro Tabata, Deputy Executive Director, Department of Urban Disaster Resilience Engineering; and Dr. Satomi Kimijima, Research Division for Disaster Information and Intelligence. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge, technologies, and experiences in disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as to explore future research collaboration between Thailand and Japan.
During the meeting, Dr. Wiparat De-ong shared perspectives on Thailand’s disaster-related challenges, particularly earthquakes and floods, which are becoming increasingly complex and affecting wider areas. She also highlighted the need to strengthen early warning systems and improve the use of weather and disaster data to support forecasting, preparedness, and effective decision-making.
The NIED delegation shared Japan’s experience in applying science, technology, and data to disaster monitoring and management, particularly through the Earthquake Early Warning system. The discussion also covered the use of radar, satellite data, and disaster monitoring systems to support risk monitoring and forecasting, as well as the importance of risk communication, public awareness, and community preparedness in strengthening disaster resilience and reducing disaster impacts.
Looking ahead, NRCT and NIED explored opportunities to develop joint research projects on disaster prevention and mitigation by connecting researchers and experts from both countries. Both sides also discussed promoting knowledge and technology exchange, sharing best practices, and strengthening research capacity through training programs, workshops, researcher and expert exchanges, as well as outreach activities and exhibitions. These efforts aim to support the practical application of research knowledge and technologies to improve disaster preparedness and management in Thailand.
