Anpachi Town's Disaster Prevention and Crafting Wisdom Reaches Nepal

In June 2026, the non-profit organization Nakayoshi Gakuen Project (Representative: Yuichi Nakamura / Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture) carried out educational support activities at schools in and around Rupandehi District, Lumbini Province, Nepal, using teaching materials created by students from Anpachi Town, Gifu Prefecture.

Classes included disaster prevention awareness sessions using a "Disaster Prevention BOOK" and newspaper slippers made by students from Anpachi Town's Yui Elementary School; "Crafting and Innovation" classes using handmade fans (uchiwa) created by students from local elementary and junior high schools and the "Hohoemi Classroom" support center under the auspices of the Anpachi Town Board of Education; and cross-cultural understanding classes utilizing choral videos and footage of Japanese life created by students from Anpachi Town's Toan Junior High School, known for its choral music.

Anpachi Town is committed to community-wide flood disaster prevention. The lessons nurtured in the region—learning to protect one's own life and the ability to solve problems using familiar items—were delivered to schools in Nepal through the Nakayoshi Gakuen Project.

Globally, risks of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and abnormal weather due to climate change are increasing. Schools are critical hubs for community safety, evacuation, and information sharing during disasters. International organizations like UNESCO emphasize the importance of learning about disaster risks and equipping children with "preparedness skills" through school education.

Japan has experienced various disasters, and its disaster prevention education, training, evacuation procedures, and regional disaster systems attract international attention. The flood prevention learning that Anpachi Town has fostered is an educational resource with significant implications for disaster-prone regions worldwide.

The materials used in the Nepal classes included the Disaster Prevention BOOK and newspaper slippers from Yui Elementary School. The book summarizes necessary preparations and creative solutions using familiar materials, while the slippers were introduced as simple protective gear. The children were taught the importance of staying conscious of preparedness because disasters can happen anytime.

Handmade fans from Anpachi Town were also utilized. The lesson addressed "heat" as a universal challenge, explaining the evolution of cooling methods—from traditional Japanese fans to electric fans and air conditioning—to illustrate the flow of technological innovation.