The Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring November 5 "World Tsunami Day." The Party's Comprehensive Research Commission on the Establishment of the Disaster Resilient Japan (Chairperson: Toshihiro Nikai, member of the House of Representatives) received briefings from and exchanged opinions with relevant ministries and agencies regarding the declaration on December 8.

The declaration's main purposes are to confirm that the damage resulting from tsunamis is a common global issue, and to increase understanding and awareness of measures to mitigate tsunami disasters. World Tsunami Day was jointly proposed by 142 countries, including Japan.

The government of Japan declared November 5 to be "Tsunami Disaster Prevention Day "in commemoration of a man in Wakayama Prefecture who saved many lives from a tsunami at the end of the Edo era. It is said that after a large earthquake he set rice sheaves on fire to drive the villagers to higher ground." At the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai City in March, Chairperson Nikai urged to declare November 5 "World Tsunami Day." Since then he has continued to work in coordination with the government to seek cooperation from other countries.

At the meeting on December 8, Chairperson Nikai emphasized the significance of the declaration, saying in his remarks, "Large numbers of lives can be saved through education and routine training."