Visualizing risks through flood disaster simulations!
Social Infrastructure (Saitama University Research Seed Collection 2025-27 p.11)
Keywords: Flood, numerical simulation, human behavior, hazard map, Fugaku, flood control dam, rice paddy dam, climate change, collaboration with meteorology, flood insurance.
I studied abroad in Germany and obtained a doctorate, during which I conducted research on multiphase flow in underground environments. I created a model to simulate the transport processes of greenhouse gas methane in underground environments. In Europe, it is often the case that numerical computation experts and experimental/observational experts are separate, which is somewhat different from Japanese researchers who tend to conduct both experiments/observations and computations themselves to deepen their insights. I am not implying superiority, but I learned the rational thinking of Germans. After that, I returned to Japan and began research on flood disasters. While my focus is on numerical computation, I also examine community-based flood mitigation measures with local residents, conduct research related to climate change, study flood forecasting in collaboration with advanced weather simulations, research on paddy field dams, research on flood insurance, and develop evacuation behavior models, as well as conduct hydrological statistics research. Leveraging my experience in Germany's specialized numerical computation research, I also perform flood calculations using the Fugaku supercomputer.
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Kenichiro Kobayashi, Professor Graduate School of Science and Technology, Department of Environmental and Social Infrastructure, Field of Environmental Planning 【Recent Research Themes】 ● Recently, I have been interested in conducting behavioral and flow simulations of humans, organisms, and vehicles in conjunction with fluid simulations. In the past, I conducted climate change impact assessment research focused on Ghana in Africa, and more recently, I have been focusing on Nepal in South Asia. My original motivation came from my desire to contribute to developing countries during my student years. Lately, I often wonder if Japan has the capacity to support foreign countries given the weakness of the yen.
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【Appeal Points to the Industry】 ● If it's at the city scale, simple flood calculations for the entire city can be completed in a day, for example, if Fugaku is operational. ● Some may shy away from Fugaku, but please consider simple calculations as merely estimates. Similar to a hospital's CT or MRI, it involves assessing potential problem areas through imaging. ● Ultimately, on-site verification will be necessary. I also believe that this does not contradict river administration or crisis management administration. ● In river basin flood control, the government has declared that all stakeholders should consider the safety and security of the basin as a personal matter, so there should be no logic of exclusion; I want to do what I can as an academic. 【Examples of Practical Application, Use Cases, and Utilization】 ● Estimation of flood control effects of the Kawabe River Dam in Kyushu ● Research on flood insurance with private insurance companies ● Research on flood forecasting ● Research on climate change impact assessment ● Joint research with JAXA's Facilities Department
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Functional evaluation of the traditional flood control method, Kasumi-dike.
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The Saitama University Open Innovation Center is a center that functions as a liaison office for industry-academia-government collaboration. It consists of three departments: the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Department, the Intellectual Property Department, and the Startup Support Department, each staffed with coordinators well-versed in various fields. The center's activities include solving technical challenges in companies, supporting the implementation of joint research, and conducting technology transfer aimed at introducing and utilizing Saitama University's intellectual property.