Guatemala and Japan share seismic isolation technology to protect buildings

Specialists from Guatemala and Japan met in Guatemala City to exchange knowledge on seismic isolation and infrastructure protection during the Guatemala-Japan Technical Dialogue.

The Japanese Society of Seismic Isolation organized the event with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Local organizations, including the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction and the Guatemalan Association of Structural and Seismic Engineering, hosted the meeting to discuss ways to reduce risks and protect lives during earthquakes.

Experts shared information on seismic isolation, a technology that reduces the amount of movement buildings experience during tremors. The group discussed structural design, the protection of essential infrastructure, and how these specific technologies could be applied within Guatemala. This meeting marked the first time a delegation from the Japanese Society of Seismic Isolation visited Central America as part of its annual international mission.

The collaboration aims to improve the structural safety of hospitals, public buildings, and other essential facilities in Guatemala, a country that experiences frequent seismic activity.