#PACIFIC CONSULTANTS

Minamisanriku Town Event Part 2: Minamisanriku Town's Residents Roundtable Discussion "Recovery and the Future from the Perspective of the Town's Residents"

Following the interview with Mayor Jin SATO, a roundtable discussion was held with residents of Minamisanriku Town who were affected by the disaster and have been working towards the town's recovery with strong determination, having experienced various things through their lives and work. Looking back on activities since the earthquake, we asked everyone questions such as, "What is the source and secret of your energy?" and "What was the most memorable thing about the recovery?" Here is a brief overview of the responses.
Looking back on our activities since the earthquake, we asked everyone questions such as, "What is the source and secret to your energy?" and "What was the most memorable thing about the recovery?" Here is a brief overview of the responses.

Minamisanriku Town Event Part 1: Interview Mr. Jin SATO, the Mayor of Minamisanriku Town

Sunday, April 10th, was the second day of the Minamisanriku Town event. We will report on the first part, "Looking Back on 10 Years of Reconstruction," which included an interview Mr. Jin SATO, the mayor of Minamisanriku Town. The location was "Machidoma," the first-floor lobby of the new Minamisanriku Town Hall, which was completed in September 2017, six and a half years after the earthquake. More than 10 years have passed since Great East Japan Earthquake, and an interview was conducted with Mr. Jin SATO, mayor of Minamisanriku Town, who has been working on disaster recovery. This time, we were joined with Fumihiko IMAMURA, Director of the International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University which was established in April 2012 after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and who has been involved in disaster prevention research and local disaster prevention activities in Tohoku region since before the earthquake.

Minamisanriku Town Today, Part 1

On Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10, 2022, an event involving site visits and interviews related to the town’s recovery was held in Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture. Through encounters and interactions with many residents of Minamisanriku Town, the two-day event provided each participant—whether from within the town or elsewhere—with an opportunity to reflect on the town’s past (“ Great East Japan Earthquake”) and its ongoing recovery. In this article, we’ll share what we saw of Minamisanriku’s “present” and the current state of the town through this event, and we hope that reading this will inspire as many people as possible to visit Minamisanriku in person.

The Ideal Form of a Company in the Era of Carbon Neutrality

On December 16, 2021, as a special event commemorating our 70th foundation anniversary, we held a webinar titled "The Ideal Form of a Company in the Era of Carbon Neutrality." Approximately 500 people participated, and through keynote speeches by Professor Yukari TAKAMURA (Professor of Center for Future Vision Research, The University of Tokyo), an opinion leader in the decarbonization era, and Mr. Shigeru KOBAYASHI (General Manager of ESG Promotion Section) of Rating and Investment Information, Inc., a leading Japanese rating agency, as well as a panel keynote speech, we considered the initiatives required of companies on the theme of carbon neutrality. This time, in addition to introducing the content of keynote speech by Professor Yukari TAKAMURA and Mr. Shigeru KOBAYASHI, we will also share the content of the presentation by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS GROUP, which has declared its commitment to decarbonization management, "Pacific Net Zero."

Landscapes and Encounters with People in 10 Years After the Earthquake: Interviews

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS deeply supports the concept of "World Bosai Walk TOHOKU+10," organized by the World BOSAI Forum, and its desire to spread the message of "Build Back Better" to the world, and is sponsoring this walking event. *Main photo: On the day of the interview, the walking team visited the Sendai Municipal Arahama Elementary School, a site of earthquake damage. They were guided by Mr. KAWAMURA, a local resident. (From right: Mr. YOSHINO, secretary-general of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. KAWAMURA, guide; Mr. ONO, Executive Manager of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. SAKAMOTO, PACIFIC CONSULTANTS (currently seconded to International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University); and Mr. Feng, Meiji University.

3rd World BOSAI Forum Presentation Event

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS deeply supports the concept of "World Bosai Walk TOHOKU+10," organized by the World BOSAI Forum, and its desire to spread the message of "Build Back Better" to the world, and is sponsoring this walking event. *Main photo: On the day of the interview, the walking team visited the Sendai Municipal Arahama Elementary School, a site of earthquake damage. They were guided by Mr. KAWAMURA, a local resident. (From right: Mr. YOSHINO, secretary-general of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. KAWAMURA, guide; Mr. ONO, Executive Manager of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. SAKAMOTO, PACIFIC CONSULTANTS (currently seconded to International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University); and Mr. Feng, Meiji University.

My Journey along the Tohoku Coast has Begun!

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS deeply supports the concept of "World Bosai Walk TOHOKU+10," organized by the World BOSAI Forum, and its desire to spread the message of "Build Back Better" to the world, and is sponsoring this walking event. *Main photo: On the day of the interview, the walking team visited the Sendai Municipal Arahama Elementary School, a site of earthquake damage. They were guided by Mr. KAWAMURA, a local resident. (From right: Mr. YOSHINO, secretary-general of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. KAWAMURA, guide; Mr. ONO, Executive Manager of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. SAKAMOTO, PACIFIC CONSULTANTS (currently seconded to International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University); and Mr. Feng, Meiji University.

"Prospects for Cities and Regions in the Post-COVID Era" Part 2

On February 18, 2021, PACIFIC CONSULTANTS and Nikken Sekkei co-hosted an event titled "Prospects for Cities and Regions in the Post-COVID Era." The two companies, which have worked together to solve urban challenges in integrated station-area development (TOD) projects in central Tokyo, such as around Shibuya station, presented directions for the transformations required for cities and regions in the post-COVID era. Part 1 consisted of proposals on "Transformations Required for Cities and Regions, and Future Social Design," based on joint research by young and mid-career working members from PACIFIC CONSULTANTS. Transcending specialized fields such as architecture, urban planning, and social infrastructure, and incorporating multifaceted perspectives including energy and smart technologies, they presented their vision for future autonomous and decentralized cities across eight themes. Part 2 featured a panel discussion with Tomoyuki SHIGENAGA (President and Representative Director, Executive Officer of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, Atsushi OMATSU (President and Representative Director, Executive Officer of Nikken Sekkei, and Chiaki HAYASHI (Representative Director) of Loftwork, who served as moderator. The discussion begins with the perspectives on urban development shared by the two companies that have collaborated on the Shibuya station area development project.

"Prospects for Cities and Regions in the Post-COVID Era" Part 1

On February 18, 2021, Nikken Sekkei and PACIFIC CONSULTANTS co-hosted an event titled "Prospects for Cities and Regions in the Post-COVID Era." The two companies, which have worked together to solve urban challenges in "Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)" projects in central Tokyo, such as around Shibuya Station, presented research and recommendations under the theme of "Transformations Required for Cities and Regions, and the Future of Social Design." This initiative stemmed from an exchange of opinions held last summer by young and mid-career employees of both companies regarding the vision of cities in the post-COVID era, followed by activities conducted by a mixed working team. Here, we present an overview of the presentations given on eight themes, which comprehensively examined cities and regions from a multifaceted perspective, transcending specialized fields such as architecture, urban planning, and social infrastructure, and including energy and smart technologies. 

Road Policies We Propose in the Post-COVID Era

In 2020, it began with the COVID-19 pandemic, and even now, in the early autumn, there are no signs of it ending, and the response is expected to be long-term. It is said that it will be difficult to return to life as it was before the pandemic, and it is thought that in the future, we will need to transform our lifestyles and socioeconomic structures to coexist with COVID-19.

Moving towards PPP/PFI that Contributes More to Society, Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

Society as a whole is facing a major crisis due to the unprecedented force majeure event of the COVID-19 pandemic. The same applies to PPP/PFI projects by PPP, which have become established as the ideal form of sustainable social infrastructure.

Special Dialogue: "Initiatives for Diversity Management"

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, a pioneer in the industry, is committed to promoting work-life balance for its employees and has adopted diversity management as its long-term vision. Professor Hiroki SATO of Chuo University, Graduate School and President Shigenori TAKAKI discussed their efforts and the challenges ahead.

The Power of Sharing with the World the Architecture and Civil Engineering Originating in Japan

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, which produces transformations in social services through urban development, and architect Kengo KUMA have collaborated on numerous occasions. This event will explore the roles that society now expects of both architects and construction consultants, and what kind of attractive cities can be created through teamwork between the two.

Amidst the Sounds of Hammers Being Hammered into Kamaishi's Recovery

The relationship between photographer Shinpei ASAI and PACIFIC CONSULTANTS began with their shared involvement in the reconstruction efforts in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture. Despite their differing positions as a company and an artist, they shared a common interest in the recovery of Tohoku and the revitalization of regional areas throughout Japan. What insights emerged from this conversation about the future of their collaboration…?