An Approach Towards Enhancing the Capacity Development of Disaster and Climate Risk Education in Pre-service Teacher Training

Following the seismic event of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Okawa Elementary School in Miyagi Prefecture succumbed to a tsunami, resulting in the unfortunate loss of seventy-four students and ten teachers. Arising from the insights gleaned from this tragic incident, a proposal emerged advocating for the inclusion of Disaster Prevention Education, aligning with the mission of preserving children's lives, as a mandatory component in the curriculum of teacher training institutions. The 2017 Teaching Curriculum Core Curriculum introduced elements like “adequate measures for ensuring school safety” in Japan. While acknowledging the pressing need to address Climate Change, it cannot be definitively asserted that the domains of school safety, climate risk, and Disaster Prevention are inherently interconnected. In this chapter, drawing upon practical experience in teacher training courses and an analysis of curriculum guidelines, we delve into the interrelation between Disaster Prevention Education and Climate Change Education. Additionally, this paper explores the essential skills and competencies educators must possess to realize this objective. Our examination extends to determining whether there presently exists a connection between awareness of Climate Change Education and Disaster Prevention Education in elementary and lower secondary schools. Subsequently, this chapter deliberates on strategies for integrating Climate Change Education and Disaster Prevention Education within teacher training.