Science
Why earthquakes and tsunamis happen around Japan, and how scientists read the forces beneath the surface.
Expert talks + panel
Beneath the Great Wave.
Understanding Japan through science, risk, and resilience.
DateMay 22, 2026
Time5:00-6:15 PM
VenueMIT Stata 32-155
AudienceMIT community
Program
A clear evening on natural risk and how societies prepare.
The event combines a short tsunami video, expert talks, Q&A, and audience conversation. Complimentary sushi boxes and O-i Ocha will be available during networking after the talks.
Infrastructure
How transportation, built systems, and disaster planning respond to recurring natural risk.
Resilience
How communities prepare, recover, and preserve knowledge across generations.
Food and drink
Free sushi box + O-i Ocha.
After the talks, registered attendees can enjoy a complimentary sushi box and O-i Ocha during the networking reception.
Available while supplies last.
Confirmed speakers
Four expert voices.
MIT EAPS
Ayako Tsuchiyama
土山 絢子
PhD candidate, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, MIT.
Tsuchiyama-san's academic path includes a BS and MS from Tokyo Institute of Technology, a visiting research stay at UC Berkeley, and her current PhD work at MIT. Her master's research studied source mechanisms of deep earthquakes in Japan (Tsuchiyama and Nakajima, 2021, PEPI); at MIT, she studies mechanisms of the intermediate-depth earthquake nest in Colombia.
Seismology
Yo Kanno
菅野 洋
Scientific Officer (Planning), Administration Division, Seismology and Volcanology Department, Japan Meteorological Agency.
Kanno-san completed his Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Science at the University of Tokyo in March 2019 and joined the Japan Meteorological Agency in April 2019. His work has included mobile volcanic observation, operations at the Volcanic Observation and Warning Center, volcanic ash monitoring, MEXT's Earthquake Disaster Prevention Research Division, the Tsunami Team in JMA's Earthquake and Volcanic Engineering Affairs Division, and scientific officer roles in the Administration Division. Since April 2026, he has served as Scientific Officer (Planning) in the Administration Division, Seismology and Volcanology Department.
Infrastructure
Kota Konishi
古西 航大
Assistant manager, Central Japan Railway Company; MIT System Design and Management.
Konishi-san has spent about six years at Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), working on Shinkansen rolling stock maintenance and the implementation and management of rolling stock inspection facilities. He has also joined a project supporting the introduction of new rolling stock for Taiwan High Speed Rail. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in MIT System Design and Management (SDM), where he studies the design and management of complex socio-technical systems. After graduation, he plans to work on systems design for Shinkansen rolling stock.
Regional revitalization / disaster management
Kenji Takahashi
髙橋 謙司
Secretary General for Regional Revitalization, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan; former Director-General for Disaster Management, Cabinet Office.
Originally from Aichi Prefecture, Takahashi-san graduated from Kyoto University's Faculty of Law and joined the Ministry of Construction in 1991. His public service career includes senior roles at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Cabinet Office, including Director-General for Disaster Management. Since July 2025, he has served as Secretary General for Regional Revitalization, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.
Support
Event support.
Beneath the Great Wave is supported by the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston. JAM also welcomes future partners for lecture and cultural programming.
Archive