This facility was created for the purpose of handing down the experience and lessons of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake to future generations and making a contribution to reducing the damage caused by disasters in Japan and around the world. With the cooperation of many people including disaster victims, volunteers, etc., the institution presents the experience and lessons of the 1995 earthquake through an easy-to-understand set of exhibits. In addition, it is nurturing human resources for carrying out disaster prevention research and activities, provides support to disaster scene responders, and facilitates cooperation through a variety of networks.

SPring-8 is a large-scale experimental synchrotron radiation facility that boasts the world’s most powerful synchrotron radiation source. It is a joint-use facility with advanced experimental facilities that is open to a broad range of Japanese and international researchers. SPring-8 has achieved excellent results in the fields of materials science, earth science, life science, environmental science, industrial applications, etc.

E-Defense is a huge three-dimensional vibration destruction testing facility where actual buildings can be subjected to destructive vibratory forces so that the mechanisms by which large earthquakes destroy buildings can be observed and studied.