Participants of Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Course visited coastal areas in Tohoku region (November 14 to 18) and participants of Seismology course and Earthquake Engineering course visited Nagaoka City (Niigata Prefecture) and Miyagi Prefecture including Tohoku University, Onagawa town (November 14 to 17) which were affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. English reports of Study Trip by participants of T, S and E courses are as follows.

-----Tohoku-----
Ms. Siti Nurhaida Basri (Malaysia) T-Course
It was unimaginable and unbelievable to witness the causes of tsunami at the places that we have visited. After listening to the experience from one of the tsunami survivor, I was deeply saddened as I can only imagine, but it left a big scar to the tsunami survivors. The experience from this study field will surely be one of most memorable experience I ever had.

Mr. MOQUETE EVERTH Fabricio (Dominican Republic) S-Course
Onagawa, located in the Miyagi prefecture at the Tohoku region in Japan. What seemed to be a beautiful port town is now partially razed because of the tsunami that stricken it back in the March 11 earthquake. The coastal area now looks destroyed and a little bit flooded by parts, and still many personal objects from people can be found within the mud and the rubbles that are still left. The scenery makes one to imagine the terrible situation the people of that town had been gone through and share the deepest sympathy with to all of them.

Mr. Goran Jekikj (Macedonia) E-Course
The damages on buildings caused by the Tohoku Earthquake are negligible, comparing to ones caused by the tsunami wave. It is impressive that Japanese society successfully provides disaster prevention mechanisms to the limits that can be provided by a human factor.

Mr. Dwi Hartanto (Indonesia) T-Course
I am sorrow for tsunami hit around Japan, I hope Japan society is always in good health. Tsunami early warning system has been running well, warning message, sirens, evacuation route, break water, sea wall etc. have worked well to reduce casualties. In the future we should be able to improve the quality of tsunami early warning system, and do not forget to pray to god to avoid natural disasters.

Mr. Tatok Yatimantoro (Indonesia) T-Course
This trip is very memorable and I got very valuable lessons, because the first time I saw a direct effect of earthquake and tsunami. I also hear directly the sad stories from survivors. I'm so sad for earthquake 11 March 2011 that occurred in Japan, and I pray that the Japanese people be given the strength and fortitude to rebuild the damaged facilities immediately.

Mr. Noor Azam Shaari (Malaysia) T-Course
It is an indescribable feelings to watch the greatest calamity that ever happened in humankind. We offer our heartfelt prayer for the happiness and hoping that the pain will be gone very soon. All the people in this world are always be with you with such love and tenderly.

Ms. Nur Intan Irzwanee Nurashid (Malaysia) T-Course
When I first arrived in Sendai on Monday, I was speechless to see the damaged caused by the tsunami. The damaged was severe and I was touched seeing the people lost their properties and loved one. I admire the Japanese courage in facing their life after the disaster. The trip was a valuable experience for me.

-----Niigata-----
Mr. Rafig Safarov (Azerbaijan) S-Course
As it was planned from 14 up to 17 November, 2011 was conducted study trip of the Seismology and Earthquake Engineering Groups to Niigata and Miyagi prefectures. Here we visited the Nagaoka City Hall, Nagaoka earthquake Disaster Archive Center and Yamakoshi District. After we were informed about historical earthquakes that occurred in Nagaoka, we visited Yamakoshi district, where we observed reconstructed houses after the great 2004 earthquake. As a result of earthquakes which occurred here 3 times in one day in 2004, landslides, ground subsidence were cause for the great scale of destruction and loss, and the population was forced to move to other areas. But, now 70 percent of the population returned to their native lands thanks to reconstruction and providing of safety and necessary means for residence. I would like to note that it is very important to get experience on the prognosis of such disasters, and threats, preventive measures against them and about of steps how to act after such kind of catastrophes. I want to express my gratitude to all of
organizers of this study trip and to Dr. Yokoi, Dr. Hara and Mr. Ajima which were with us all the time for their kindness and care and for opportunity created to get experience. This study trip was very interesting, enjoyable and an important for us at the same time.

Mr. Yefei REN (China) E-course
It is the most impressive that after the great Chuetsu Earthquake the Japanese government has tried its best to make the relief and reconstruction of Yamakoshi district to attract the local people coming back in order to protect and develop its traditional aquaculture of Nishikigoi carp. In addition, the successful case of using base-isolation technology to the structures for resisting the earthquake in Ojiya general hospital is deeply impressive as well.

Dear Friends,
I would like to share with you with great pleasure that I received an Award from the Government of my country the last Nov. 17 at the Association of the Caribbean States in commemoration of the 200 years of the independence of the Americas, due to my contributions in my field and they say according to their review due to my distinguished career. I am sending you some photos and a link for some news.
http://www.uwiseismic.com/NewsDetails.aspx?id=220
Just to thanks again to you to give me the opportunity to study with you.

Walter Salazar