By the end of the Race, every participant had gained greater knowledge, confidence, and a shared reminder that preparedness saves lives and that learning about tsunamis can be both practical and enjoyable. 

Japan’s Legacy: World Tsunami Awareness Day and Beyond 

World Tsunami Awareness Day, observed every 5 November, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 following Japan’s proposal to the UN. The Day calls on countries, international organisations, and civil society to raise awareness of tsunami risks and share innovative approaches to reduce them. WTAD was inspired by Japan’s long-standing experience with tsunamis and its leadership in advancing early warning systems, disaster education, and the principle of building back better. 

Every year, WTAD is marked around the world through public events, drills, and educational campaigns that increase people’s understanding of tsunami risks and the actions they can take to stay safe. In Japan, the High School Students Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day will be held on 27–28 November 2025 in Sendai City, bringing together students from around the world. By studying disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, the Summit aims to nurture the next generation of leaders in disaster risk reduction and promote international exchange. 

Japan’s leadership for WTAD was echoed in Bali, where communities came together through the Tsunami Amazing Race to strengthen preparedness through teamwork and shared learning. Both events, in Japan and Indonesia, capture the same message: knowledge and collective action are the most powerful tools for saving lives, reflecting Japan’s continued commitment to passing on lessons from past disasters to future generations. 

The UNDP–Government of Japan Regional Tsunami Project 

The UNDP regional Tsunami Project, supported by the Government of Japan, uses schools as an entry point to strengthen wider community resilience. Since 2017, the Project has supported around 800 schools in 24 Asia-Pacific countries to conduct tsunami drills and education programmes, reaching over 220,000 students, teachers, local officials, and community members. 

In Indonesia, the Project has worked closely with national and local partners to promote school and community preparedness. In Bali, UNDP has collaborated with the provincial government, particularly BPBD of Bali Province, and the local Disaster Risk Reduction Forum to organise evacuation drills and awareness activities. Under the Project, UNDP has also worked with hotels, such as those in Tanjung Benoa Village, Bali, where ten hotels signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with local authorities and nearby schools to serve as temporary evacuation centres during disasters. 

At the closing ceremony, Mr. Itsuki Nishizawa, Investment and Trade Attaché, Assistant Manager, Embassy of Japan in Indonesia, said “Japan is to remain committed to work closely with UNDP and other partners in the region to build safer and more resilient societies”. 

A Community of Preparedness 

The Tsunami Amazing Race in Serangan Village further demonstrated how schools, communities, and government authorities can work together to build a culture of preparedness. By combining education, teamwork, and creativity, the event strengthened awareness and collective action across generations. As UNDP continues to work with BNPB, the Ministry of Education, and the Government of Japan to scale up community-based disaster risk reduction, Serangan Village stands as an example of how shared learning and local participation can save lives.

At the end of the event, Mr. I Putu Suta Wijaya, Head of Disaster Risk Reduction Forum of rBali (FPRB Bali) shared “I hope the lessons from today stay with the kids. Preparedness can be fun and interactive. Kids learn by doing, that’s what makes the difference. It helps them remember and apply what they’ve learned.”