By Dr. Toshiaki Yokoi, Director of IISEE

I have traveled to Managua, Nicaragua from 19 to 28, April as a JICA short term expert and have instructed the field measurement and data processing of the microtremor　array exploration (mainly SPAC method) in suburban　area at the south of the Augusto Cesar Sandino international Airport of Managua.

Please see the Newsletter attached on page 1.

(1) Ms. Pamela Urrutia Barrios (El Salvador, Earthquake Engineering Course)
During our visit to Kansai District, we were able to visit cities like Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto. The purpose of this study trip was to experience the current status and recovery process of the areas that were affected by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

Please see the Newsletter attached on page 2.

(2) Ms. Erika Nora Flores Terreros (Peru, Earthquake Engineering Course)
In the middle of April, Seismology, Earthquake Engineering and Tsunami courses had the last Study Trip in Kansai Region (Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures).

Please see the Newsletter attached on page 2.

By Dr. Takumi Hayashida, IISEE Research Seismologist

It has been almost one year since I was assigned as a staff member of IISEE. I am currently engaged in research on strong motion seismology that estimates subsurface seismic velocity structures for the accurate prediction of long-period ground motions.

Please see the Newsletter attached on page 3.

It was with profound sorrow that we received the sad news of the passing away of Prof. Koji Fujima, Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Systems Engineering, National Defense Academy of Japan on May 2, 2014.

Please see the Newsletter attached on page 3.

Please see the Newsletter attached on page 4.