Toshizo IDO (Governor of Hyogo Prefecture)

“The 4th Kobe International Conference on the Care for All Creatures 2015” is held. I congratulate most heartily and welcome participants coming from home and abroad.

On January 17th in 2015, 20 years has passed from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Many animals has been victims of the earthquake. There were troubles about pets at shelters, rescue animal control became a problem.

Four days after the earthquake, the veterinary medical association and animal welfare associations established animal rescue headquarters. With many volunteers, relief activities for animal victims were operated. Putting our experience to use, at the Great East Japan Earthquake, we sent expert staffs of animal welfare and supported animal rescue activities in caution zones. Through the earthquakes, I rediscovered that companion animals are not just pets, they are invaluable in our lives as family members and imperative partners.

At animal well-being center and five other branch offices in Hyogo prefecture, we expand enlightenment programs, including pet obedience classes, finding new owners, and animal interaction projects. For that reason alone, at the conference, it is very encouraging that participants have discussions to achieve better animal care and habitat protection.

I prey affiliates the great success in the conference and wish participants the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Kizo HISAMOTO (Mayor, Kobe City)

I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the hosting of the 4th Live Love Animals International Conference on All Creatures Care here in Kobe once again. I would also like to welcome all of you who have gathered here from all over the world to attend the conference.

With the theme of “Turning the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake into Brighter Futures for People and Fellow Animals”, a variety of symposia will be held with the aim of promoting the symbiosis of people and animals. The conference is a meaningful one in which participants are asked to think about the responsibility that people play, and raises awareness on a large scale. I hope that all those taking part in the conference will enjoy fruitful and lively discussions.

 When the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck, due to the collapse of buildings and other reasons, many pets such as cats and dogs fell victim to the earthquake and were separated from their owners. The “Great Hanshin Earthquake Animal Rescue Headquarters” established by veterinary medical associations and animal welfare organisations carried out relief work based in the “Animal Relief Centre”, and many animals were rescued and victims encouraged through the contribution of volunteers and the warm support of people from throughout the country. This was the first time such relief work to help animal victims following a disaster was carried out.

20 years have passed since that time, and now it is our responsibility to remember those lost without letting the memory fade, as well as to hand down the knowledge and experience of the disaster, how we responded to it, and the initiatives carried out for the subsequent rebuilding of the city. I strongly believe that it is most important for us to continue to share our own personal memories of that time to the next generations.

Finally, I would like to express my respect to all those involved in the planning of the conference, and wish that it is a great success.

Hiroaki KONO (Director of Hyogo Prefecture Animal Well-being Center)

ICAC KOBE has been taken place for four times, and this year is commemorating 20 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. At the point of earthquake, with a goal of emergency assistance for the disaster victims and emergency protection of suffered animals, ‘Hyogo Prefecture South Earthquake Animal Rescue Headquarters’ was set up by Hyogo Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Association of Kobe City, and Hanshin section of Japan Animal Welfare Society on January 21, 1995, four days after the earthquake, and it was supported by Hyogo prefecture and Kobe city.

Throughout a year and four months of support, they received a cooperation of 21,000 volunteers and a donation of 260 million yen. A total of 1,556 dogs and cats were rescued.

After that, some large scale disaster including the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred and animal rescue activities were conducted as needed. In Hyogo prefecture, based on the experience of the animal rescue activities at the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, five animal well-being centers were created from 2010, to act as a center of animal rescue activities in case of disaster. Also, at the Great East Japan Earthquake, we have sent 41 agents for 90 days to support ‘the Fukushima Animal Rescue Headquarters’. In addition, on February 15, 2015, we had a symposium under the theme of “evacuating with pets”.

At the Hyogo Prefecture Animal Well-being Center, we think it is important to enlighten people “evacuating with pets” and prepare against disaster. In the situation, I am very pleased that the conference is held in cooperation with industry, educational institution, private and government. I am expecting the participants share their widespread thoughts through the conference.

Kazumi SASAI, D.V.M., Ph.D., (Dean of Academic Affair, Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Science, Osaka Prefecture University)

The 4th Kobe International Conference on
the Care for All Creatures 2015 will be held on July 19 to commemorate 20 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

To enable humans and animals to happily coexist, many people who love animals, including domestic and foreign citizens and experts, conducted an effective discussion. At times of great disaster, such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is essential that humans and animals cooperate and respect each other’s dignity of life. In the year of the turning point, we heartily wish that an argument has nothing left from various angles; moreover, we hope that “One World, One Life” becomes a concept that is widely recognized in society, and it is two days when many citizens are engrossed in a hot debate.

 Taisei HOSOIDO, D.V.M. (President, Japanese Animal Hospital Association)

We have been experiencing a few large scale earthquakes since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Japan is a country of volcanoes and earthquakes, and we have to live in the fear of them. The pets living with us have the same fear. Japanese people have had the characteristics to be tender to animals, so on the event of the volcanic eruption of Kuchinoerabu-jima Island in June, nobody had any doubt on evacuating with the pets.

It has been 20 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake disaster, and the societal attitudes concerning pets and the veterinary medicine have been changing in time.

In 2003, more pet dogs started to live inside the homes than outside, which is a change for the dogs from “guard dogs” or “pet dogs” to “members of the family” or “companions”. In 2009, Law for Ensuring the Safety of Pet Food was established. This was an opportunity for the citizens with or without pets to realize that pets are part of the society.

In the field of veterinary medicine, to meet the advancing and diversifying request, veterinarians and veterinary nurses are cooperating in treatment and prevention of diseases, zoonosis control, routine checkup for early detection and control of chronic diseases, referral to special or high degree treatment if necessary. For the pets to be living in the society and for humans and animals to live happily, veterinarians have the role to support the coexistence of human and animals by promoting training and manners.

On the other hand, due to the aging population and the increase of single-persons household, the cats which are comparatively easy to take care are increasing, and the dogs which need more care are decreasing. This suggests that the various human social problems also have effects on the pets living with us.

I would like to discuss the theme of human animal interactions more deeply on the occasion of the ICAC KOBE 2015.

Shin-ichiro YAMASHITA (Chairperson, Japan Animal Welfare Society)

Already 20 years have passed, since Hanshin Awaji Earthquake disaster occurred. Since then we experienced several big earthquakes, localized heavy rains. And in 2011, that big earthquake hit badly East Japan, many people and animals lost their lives. The worst earthquake we have ever seen. Because of the man-made nuclear disaster, we were forced to face many hardships, and finally we were able to start for a recovery. After Hanshin Awaji Earthquake , the government, local governments, and people all united and worked together. That is why we call that year, 1995, as “The first year of volunteer”. We are working not only for human beings but also for various animals, from companion animals with which we live together to animals which are involved deep in our human society, like, cattle by which we are fed.

Human beings and companion animals are united by heart, so called Kizuna in Japanese. So we cannot separate those animals from the owners when we are to help or save those owners Guaranteeing animal welfare, we can promote both the spiritual and physical welfare of human being. And regarding animals, since we own them for many purposes, all their lives are entrusted to us and we have ethical responsibilities. We have to satisfy them by providing them all what they need, and manage their health, sanitary condition, living environment in a decent manner without giving unnecessary stress and have to keep them in a healthy condition in both mentally and physically. It is very important not only for the animals but also for us, because we enjoy the benefits from it. We have been developing our land seeking economic richness, and as our daily life has been becoming rich we have been moving animals from their natural living environment which they need desperately to a quite different one. By doing so we have been destroying natural ecological system, causing a friction between animals and human beings and now we have to face it from the national point of view to solve the problem.

Human being and animal are both creatures living on earth. It is not a matter of “human being OR animal”. We have to learn what is going on accurately, gather enough data, analyze it. And based on the result, putting our wisdom together, it is our duty to march forward to the goal, “One World, One Life”, the earth on which both human being and animal live together happily. And I hope strongly that this international conference should be the very first step for the goal.

Yoshitake YOKOKURA (President, Japan Medical Association)

In connection with the opening of the 4th Kobe International Conference on the Care for All Creatures 2015, I would like to say a few words on behalf of the Japan Medical Association.

First, I heartily congratulate the efforts of executive committee members and others in carrying out this great conference.

This conference started in 2009 to disseminate to the wo
rld what we learned from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which was “responsibility for life.” This year, commemorating 20 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the next two days will be filled with dense discussion under the slogan of “One World, One Life.”

In the modern society that continues to advance toward a borderless world, we must learn from the ideas and efforts in other countries and spread our own ideas and efforts to the world. For challenges that need to be addressed, it is very important that the entire world shares the awareness of the issues and engages in problem solving in close collaboration. We can all be proud of holding such a significant world-leading international conference in Japan. The message we will send from Japan to the world through sincere discussions at the conference will help improve the welfare of all animals including humans all over the world and realize a successful coexistence of humans and animals.

The 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, once stated, “I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.” Holding this conference in the years to come will help nations across the world to share his idea.

The Japan Medical Association formulated its mission statement two years ago. In its preamble, we have set a goal “to realize a society that values human dignity,” and we are striving to protect the lives and health of citizens. We will continue to further exert our efforts in this direction because we believe that this principle is common to all living beings.

I would like to end my remarks with a prayer that this year’s conference will be a rewarding one and that all participants here today will continue to have outstanding success.

Jun SAEKI, President, Alliance of Medical Associations in Kinki District

This year is 20 years from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. I heartily congratulate that ICAC KOBE is developed further from “International Care on Animal Care in Kobe”, and “the 4th Kobe International Conference on the Care for All Creatures 2015 –Commemorating 20 Years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake- One World, One Life” is held.

Even after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Japan was affected by various disasters. At the Great East Japan Earthquake, earthquake, tsunami, and accidents of nuclear power plant occurred simultaneously and caused tremendous damage. The experience and lesson from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake was used at the disaster, evacuation and rescue of animals were conducted along with the evacuation of people. However, we still have many problems under the present circumstances. 

Kinki District Union Veterinary Medical Association is a federation, consisted of the veterinary associations in Mie prefecture, Hyogo prefecture, Osaka prefecture, Kyoto prefecture, Shiga prefecture, Wakayama prefecture, Osaka city, Kobe city, and Kyoto city. We contribute to the well-being of society through a field of veterinary practice. We consider that a role of veterinarians at disaster is not only saving animals but also protecting people against zoonotic infection and sustaining hygienic environment and the rest. Therefore, it is important for us to exchange views with various people associated with animals.

It goes without saying that, aiming for better society in which people and animals live together, and addressing different challenges including problems at the disaster, people in a wide range of areas including public must collaborate and cooperate. I hope that the conference will become a field of eager discussion and exchange of information for participants and fruitful discussions will be held.

Hiroyuki NAKAYAMA, DVM, PhD (Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo)

I truly congratulate on the ICAC KOBE 2015 on behalf of all the members of the Japanese Society of Veterinary Sciences (JSVS).

Veterinarians contribute to society in the fields of not only companion animal medicine, but also industrial animal medicine and reproduction for cows, pigs and chickens, zoonosis control, public health including food hygiene, and conservation of wild animals. Veterinary science therefore is regarded as a scientific field reflecting the key word of the present international conference, that is “One World, One Life”, and aims happiness of human, animals and environment. JSVS supports researches and education of veterinary sciences, and pursues the achievement of “One World, One Life”, during the recovery in Japan from the two great earthquakes of Hanshin-Awaji and East Japan.

Kayoko TOMINAGA (The ICAC KOBE Executive Committee for Commemorating 20 Years Since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Secretariat / Chairperson, Public Interest Incorporated Association Knots (PIIA Knots)

ICAC KOBE 2015 Thank you Message – One World, One Life –

ICAC KOBE feels honored to hold The 4th Kobe International Conference on the Care for All Creatures 2015 Commemorating 20 Years Since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake —One World, One Life, evolved from the former International Conference on Animal Care in KOBE. We have received a humbling amount of support, assistance, and cooperation from so many people. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to you all.

This year, we will face important milestones as it will now be 70 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki and the end of the World War Ⅱ, 30 years since the airplane accident of Japan Airlines at Mt. Osutaka, 20 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and 10 years since the JR Fukuchiyama Line Train Derailment Accident. It provides us anew the chance to consider the various futures that are in store for us.

“Humans are living creatures”. It is logi
cal, therefore, that there things necessary to us as living creatures which we must have in order to “live happily”. Adopting this view point would make humans happier not only when dealing with various crises and difficulties such as disasters, aging, disease, accidents, and poverty, but also social systems which define our daily life. We humans are not meant to live alone. Human beings could become truly happy through a harmonious existence with other animals and nature.

The ICAC KOBE catchphrase is “Being ever thankful for each other’s existence and living happily for as long as our life continues – that is our responsibility for life.” My hope is that this conference produces lively discussions about the various meanings of happiness for all living creatures; that the conference theme “A more united and enriched Earth can be formed by first joining the well-being of each individual life, one by one — One World, One Life” is broadcasted from Kobe to a global audience; and that as much of the joy and happiness of all creatures as possible would spread all over the Earth.