It is our aim to provide a secure and comfortable life in the face of the challenges brought on by the heavy snowfall that encompasses more than half of our country. Living in this harsh winter environment requires that we cope with difficult winter conditions and the associated disasters that occur annually. Such disasters may even take place on Japan's Pacific side. The frequency and severity of hazard with which we must deal changes from the year to year because of increasing vehicle usage and global warming. The National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) has established the Snow and Ice Research Center in order to deal with the social needs that result from the conditions discussed above. The Snow and Ice Research Center conducts projects on snow and ice related disasters such as avalanches, blowing snow, snow accretion, and the hazards associated with roads in the winter environment.  

Organization

History