The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction website currently features an interview with Governor Toshizo Ido who runs the Hyogo Prefecture in Japan. The Prefecture was hit with a major earthquake in 1995 known as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake which claimed the lives of over 6,000 people largely in the cities of Kobe, Awaji and Takarazuka. Over 40,000 people were injured.

Since then, Governor Ido has become one of the leading advocates for disaster risk reduction. He is also a leading proponent of the UNISDR’s “Making Cities Resilient” campaign. In 2005, the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (HFA) was adopted by representatives of governments around the world. In 2011, 133 countries reported through the HFA Monitor.

UNISDR officer Yuki Matsuoka interviewed Governor Ido.