Photo= Participants learning how to prepare for a disaster and how to act when one occurs, while enjoying a disaster prevention card game (Hito Machi Koryukan Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

"International Manners Karuta Card Game Competition," using the traditional game "Karuta" with picture cards specially made for learning manners necessary in disasters, such as daily life during evacuation, as well as Japanese rules of good etiquette was held on September 18 at Hito Machi Koryukan, a community center in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. Foreigners living in Japan and elderly people participated and prepared for disasters in an enjoyable way.

The competition was hosted by "International Community Club," a Non-Profit Organization based in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. The club planned the event in order to cultivate an environment that allows everyone to help each other even during a disaster, as there is a need to address the issues of foreigners who know little about Japanese language and culture and socially vulnerable people.

At the event, they used "Hinanjo Seikatsu Manner Karuta," or picture cards for evacuation shelter and life manners, and "Bosai Karuta," or picture cards for disaster prevention, both of which were created cooperatively by the NPO and the Faculty of Culture and Education, Saga University. When phrases such as "Take the best care of your community on a day-to-day basis," and "Prepare emergency food without feeling it is a burden," are read aloud, participants earnestly searched for picture cards that match them. They also talked with each other about evacuation sites and how to cope with tourists.

A Chinese researcher at Kyoto University Hospital said, "I don't know where the evacuation site near my place is. I want to check the location."