Shimizu Corp. announced on October 25 that it developed a risk assessment system, “Shimizu Global Hazard Evaluation System” that evaluates business locations in 30 minutes in terms of natural disasters, targeting global enterprises planning to build factories or offices overseas. The system shows possible natural disasters on the map based on information collected from 16 international research institutes including NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration of US. Analyzed by Shimizu’s expertise, overall evaluation of the designated location is offered to foreign clients and domestic companies that consider expanding their business to foreign markets.

Integrating Shimizu’s original database and disaster information on the internet, the system provides information such as latest disaster alerts and history records of a designated spot on Google Earth, a map service provided by Google Inc. Engineers of Shimizu decide general evaluation according to the 3-5 risk grades in 7 factors, earthquakes, strong wind, floods, landslides, forest fire, eruptions and lightning. It is expected to help narrowing down candidate locations and preparing a design of buildings. It has been already in practical use and Shimizu took advantage of it when it won the contract of construction work in Indonesia. (2013/10/28)