Professor Toshitsugu Fujii of the Volcano Research Center (VRC) was commended by the Minister of Disaster Prevention in 2008. This Certificate of Commendation is given to an individual or group who makes a remarkable achievement in the following aspects; disseminating the awareness of disaster prevention, arranging an effective disaster prevention system before a disaster, saving many lives in a time of disaster, and helping to contain much of the disaster damage before it spreads too far.

　Professor Fujii was commended for his great achievement in experimental petrology and magmalogy research, especially in regard to the magma composition of Fuji Volcano. Also, he was commended for his contribution to society by promoting a disaster prevention scheme for national and local public entities. He also served as the chairman of Coordinating Committee for Prediction of Volcanic Eruptions and Volcanological Society of Japan.

The commendation ceremony was held on the afternoon of September 5 at an auditorium in the Cabinet Office. Professor Fujii received a Certificate of Commendation, and a commemorative gift from Mikio Hayashi, the Minister of Disaster Prevention.

　Professor Fujii also received the Geochemical Journal Award in July, 2008.

Click below to see the detail information from the Cabinet Office (available in Japanese only).
　http://www.bousai.go.jp/oshirase/h20/0808291kisya.pdf