A large number of world's developing countries are located in earthquake zones. Many lives and much property have been lost in these countries virtually every year due to earthquake and tsunami damage, such as collapsed buildings. Although fragile social and economic infrastructure is a factor in damage, a lack of information and technology related to earthquakes, such as seismic observation systems and seismic design standards for buildings and other structures, is though to be the major reason for these catastrophes.

Created with the primary objective of contributing to the reduction of earthquake damage, IISEE NET is a system whereby various kinds of technical information necessary for protecting building structures against earthquakes are collected, compiled and analyzed, and the analysis results distributed through an information network. At present, only a limited amount of information is available on the network, but we are gradually upgrading and expanding this database. Needless to say, this task cannot be completed through the efforts of IISEE staff alone. By providing much-needed information, each person reading this page will contribute to the network's growth into an invaluable resource. Your cooperation in this project would be most warmly welcomed.

 Disseminating information about earthquake disaster prevention through networks such as IISEE NET will, I firmly believe, bring us all one step closer to preventing such catastrophes in the future.