The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has praised Japan as an example of disaster preparedness in its new report launched at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan, according to a UNEP press release available here Wednesday.

The report said good practices put in place at all levels of Japanese society prevented last October's Tokage typhoon that swept across much of southern Japan, from causing extensive damage.

Japan's response to its deadliest storm in 25 years provides anexcellent opportunity for the world community to draw lessons in disaster preparedness, said the report.

"Japan has been in the forefront of sound practices in minimizing the destructive impacts of disasters," said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP executive director.

"This UNEP study on the Tokage typhoon will provide valuable lessons for mitigation and management in other countries facing similar disasters," he added.

The package of measures related to governance, education and awareness, information and data management, and related procedures collectively helped in mitigating the negative impacts of the disaster, according to the report.

"The report also reinforces the importance of environmental concerns in the entire disaster management cycle of prevention, preparedness, assessment, mitigation and response and to integrateenvironmental concerns into planning for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development," Toepfer said.

On Oct. 20, 2004, the Tokage typhoon swept through and ravaged much of the southern half of Japan. People were overcome by the massive waves and flash floods triggered by the typhoon's heavy rains and strong winds, which left at least 93 people dead.

The Kobe conference kicked off on Tuesday, with the recent Indian Ocean tsunami disaster which killed more than 160,000 people, standing out as a hot issue.

At the five-day conference, more than 4,000 participants are expected to work out a program of action for the next 10 years, containing strategic goals and priorities, to realize the substantial reduction of disaster losses in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries. Enditem