Climate change impacts
In 2017, the number of foreign tourists visiting Osaka reached a record high of 11.1 million. As Osaka aims to develop its potential as a tourist destination and to improve the visitor experience, it is also necessary to enhance disaster-related emergency services for non-Japanese speakers. Currently, the number of sudden torrential downpours in Osaka Prefecture is on an increasing trend. In addition, there are concerns about flooding in the hinterland caused by storm surges due to the increasing number of strong typhoons. The national "Climate Change Adaptation Plan" also raises the issue of disaster mitigation in regards to foreign visitors.
Adaptation activity
Osaka Prefecture is working to create an environment in which foreign tourists can obtain the information they need to protect themselves in the event of a disaster, and to build a support system at tourist facilities and accommodations so that they can use that information to take appropriate action. In February 2020, the “Osaka Safe Travels (see Note 2)” website and smartphone application went online, which provide emergency information, in 12 different languages, so that foreign visitors can stay in Osaka comfortably with peace of mind. In order to promote Osaka Safe Travels as widely as possible, business cards with QR-codes have been distributed to tourist centers around the prefecture (Fig. 1).
In addition, in 2017 (revised in 2018), we prepared the "Flow of Support for Foreign Tourists in the Event of Disaster for Tourism-Related Businesses in Osaka Prefecture (Draft)" with the aim of organizing the division of roles among related organizations and establishing a mutual liaison and coordination system so that support for foreign tourists can be provided appropriately and smoothly from the time a disaster occurs until they return home(Fig. 2).
Of the contents described in that "Support Flow (Draft)," "Guidelines for Ensuring the Safety of Foreign Tourists and Supporting Their Return Home" has been prepared for operators of accommodation and tourist facilities who are often involved with foreign tourists on a daily basis. This guideline includes Osaka Prefecture's preliminary knowledge of disasters and how to respond when a disaster occurs, along with an introduction to tools that can be used for actual support.
Outputs / Expected benefits
Initiatives undertaken for tourism-related businesses are expected to lead to the strengthening of systems that accept foreign tourists safely and securely. Osaka Prefecture plans to review the safety assurance measures specifically for foreign tourists, based on recent research and measures taken in other cities.
Fig. 2 Organizational Flow for Support of Foreign Visitors in the Event of Disasters (Draft)
(Source: Planning and Tourism Bureau of Citizens' Cultural Affairs, Osaka Prefecture: Division "Organizational Flow for Support of Foreign Visitors in the Event of Disasters (Draft)")
Footnote
(Note 1) In addition to areas of port and harbor economic activity, this refers to urban areas in which regular social activity occurs (commuting, schools, shopping, hospitals, etc.).
(Note 2) Site provided by the Osaka Foundation of International Exchange (OFIX) (https://www.osakasafetravels.com/) Published in 12 languages: English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indonesian, Nepali, and Japanese.
