In recent years, the word "risk" is being used in a wide variety of fields and there is a multitude of research being conducted on risk analysis and the establishing of risk communication. For example, when considering quantitative evaluation methods and risk communications techniques, although there exists universal theories and techniques for these, there is currently insufficient research cooperation that extends beyond research fields. Because of this, it may be the case that the opportunities for the development and maturing of a unified risk science are being missed. As a result, using the holding of the 27th Annual Conference of the Society for Risk Analysis Japan at Kyoto University in November 2014 as an opportunity, we surveyed the various risk research being conducted in various fields at Kyoto University and considered organizing risk research at Kyoto University and establishing a system to act as an international source for risk research. This will allow for the acceleration of the development of a unified risk science, strengthen cooperation with risk analysis research organizations worldwide, and develop human resources for risk management in the Asian region. In addition, it will also promote joint international research through close cooperation with advanced nations, and contribute to promoting repatriation of those displaced by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster.

　We propose the establishment of a university-wide loose knit cooperative organization for risk research called the "Kyoto University Risk Research Network." We also propose that this network engage in the following activities. 1) Create a mailing list and website for information exchange purposes on the intra-university network. Encourage participation among related researchers and establish a platform for active information exchange and acceleration of joint research. Furthermore, the network aims to systematically clarify the overall picture of risk research at Kyoto University. 2) Create an extensive English language website for the Kyoto University Risk Research Network to transmit unified information from the university to researchers from both Japan and around the world seeking research cooperation in this field as well as those seeking educational opportunities who wish to study abroad at Kyoto University. This will provide a platform that will serve to match and connect researchers from outside the university and those seeking to study abroad at Kyoto University with researchers at the university. 3) Create a virtual organization that will serve as a base for university-wide exchange and joint research with international research organizations and entities such as the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis. This will contribute to international research cooperation and human resource exchange. 4) Transmit opinions of Kyoto University researchers on radiation risks from the Kyoto University Risk Research Network in order to contribute to the provision of scientific information that will serve as materials for residents and a wide variety of citizens to base their awareness and decisions on. This will in turn contribute to the recovery of Fukushima, the setting of decontamination goals in Fukushima, as well as the repatriation of residents.
　We propose the establishment of the "Kyoto University Risk Research Network" where the above activities will be conducted through the voluntary participation of various departments, laboratories, and researchers at Kyoto University towards the goal of establishing international standing as a hub for risk management research. We look forward to many researchers engaged in risk research at Kyoto University participating in this network.

November 2014
Kyoto University Risk Research Network Founders
Minoru Yoneda, Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering
Yoko Niiyama, Kyoto University Graduate School of Agriculture