In recent years, disasters have become composite, diverse, and prolonged.
These natural and manmade disasters are threatening lives and safety of people regardless of their nationality.
Nation-based response to disaster is becoming less and less sufficient.
We need to understand that human security is threatened.
Until now, we endeavored to develop disaster nursing in the areas of nursing practice, research and education.
However, the March 11th incident in Tohoku area brought new challenges to disaster nursing that we have not experienced before.
In this midst, we are in dire need to establish disaster response plan for the imminent Nankai earthquake that is predicted to occur in near future.
To respond to our challenges at hand, University of Kochi, University of Hyogo, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Chiba University, and Japanese Red Cross College pulled our resources and expertise together and launched a graduate program in disaster nursing.
The philosophy of the program is based on ensuring human security.
We aim to produce global leaders of disaster nursing who will contribute to promoting health in society.
The future leaders will be able to respond and solve disasters and exercise leadership skills in global and interdisciplinary settings.