Kit Miyamoto

{{Short description|Japanese-American structural engineer (born 1963)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Dr. Hideki "Kit" Miyamoto | image = Dr-kit-miyamoto.jpg | alt =  | caption = | birth_name =  | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1963}} | birth_place = Tokyo, Japan | death_date =  | death_place = | education = Ph.D from Tokyo Institute of Technology,<ref name="City Paper Bogota1">{{cite news |last1=Emblin |first1=Richard |title=Miyamoto: Making Bogotá seismically more secure |url=https://thecitypaperbogota.com/bogota/miyamoto-making-bogota-seismically-more-secure/17815 |work=The City Paper Bogotá |date=August 14, 2017}}</ref> MS and BS from California State University<ref name="Sacramento Business Journal">{{cite news |last1=van der Meer |first1=Ben |title=H. Kit Miyamoto: Quake expert picks up the pieces |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/print-edition/2014/12/05/h-kit-miyamoto-quake-expert-picks-up-the-pieces.html |work=Sacramento Business Journal |date=December 5, 2014}}</ref> | other_names = | occupation = Seismic safety professional<ref name="LA Times1">{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Rong-Gong |title=In this Mexican town broken by an earthquake, hope rises |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-hope-20171004-htmlstory.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> | years_active = | known_for = Miyamoto International, Earthquake disaster response | notable_works = }}

'''Dr. Hideki "Kit" Miyamoto''' (born 1963)<ref name="City Paper Bogota1" /> is a Japanese-American structural engineer known for being the founder-CEO of Miyamoto International, a global structural engineering and disaster risk reduction organization.<ref name="City Paper Bogota2">{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Miyamoto brings its earthquake expertise to seismic Colombia |url=https://thecitypaperbogota.com/business/miyamoto-brings-its-earthquake-expertise-to-seismic-colombia/17639 |work=The City Paper Bogotá |date=July 17, 2017}}</ref><ref name="WBUR1">{{cite news |last1=Ashbrook |first1=Tom |title=Preparing For The Next Deadly Earthquake |url=https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2016/04/19/japan-ecquador-the-next-deadly-earthquake |work=www.wbur.org |date=April 19, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> He is also the chairman of California's Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, which investigates earthquakes and recommends policies for risk reduction.<ref name="ENR1">{{cite news |last1=Berardi |first1=Erica |title=Kit Miyamoto Is Named Chair of California's Seismic Safety Commission |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/50563-kit-miyamoto-is-named-chair-of-californias-seismic-safety-commission |work=Engineering News-Record |date=October 29, 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointed Commissioners & Staff {{!}} Seismic Safety Commission |url=https://ssc.ca.gov/staff/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Miyamoto was born and raised in Tokyo and studied earthquake engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and California State University. He lives in Los Angeles.<ref name="New York Times1">{{cite web |last1=Fountain |first1=Henry |title=Extent of Damage to Japan's Infrastructure Still Unclear |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/world/asia/25infrastructure.html |website=The New York Times |date=March 25, 2011}}</ref>

==Career== Miyamoto started his career in structural engineering<ref name="Sacramento Business Journal" /> and later focused on disaster resiliency, response, and reconstruction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pardo |first1=Daniela |title=How prepared is Sacramento to receive evacuees after a natural disaster? |url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/how-prepared-is-sacramento-to-receive-evacuees-after-a-natural-disaster/103-561457503 |work=American Broadcasting Company 10 |date=June 4, 2018}}</ref> He provides policy consultation to the World Bank, USAID, UN agencies, governments and private sector. He has led teams of professionals on response and reconstruction projects after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake,<ref name="City Paper Bogota1" /> 2010 Haiti earthquake,<ref name="Rolling Stone1">{{cite magazine |last1=Reitman |first1=Janet |title=Beyond Relief: How the World Failed Haiti |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/beyond-relief-how-the-world-failed-haiti-242928/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Christian Science Monitor1">{{cite news |last1=Kurczy |first1=Stephen |title=Haiti's tent cities to bear worst of potential hurricane Tomas |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2010/1104/Haiti-s-tent-cities-to-bear-worst-of-potential-hurricane-Tomas |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=November 4, 2010}}</ref> 2011 Japan earthquake, 2015 Nepal earthquake,<ref name="The Himalayan Times1">{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Miyamoto stresses on technology, change and modification |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/miyamoto-stresses-on-technology-change-and-modification/ |work=The Himalayan Times |date=November 30, 2015}}</ref> 2020 Puerto Rico earthquakes<ref name="WFAE1">{{cite news |last1=Florido |first1=Adrian |title=Earthquake-Stricken Puerto Ricans Seek Engineers To Inspect The Safety Of Their Homes |url=https://www.wfae.org/world/2020-01-17/earthquake-stricken-puerto-ricans-seek-engineers-to-inspect-the-safety-of-their-homes |work=WFAE |date=January 17, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and other seismic risk reduction programs along with disaster risk mitigation policy work.<ref name="New York Times2">{{cite news |last1=Malkin |first1=Elisabeth |title=In Mexico City, Pressure to Prepare for the Next Big Earthquake (Published 2017) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/world/americas/mexico-earthquake-collapse.html |work=The New York Times |date=October 5, 2017}}</ref> thumb|Miyamoto with journalist Anderson Cooper Miyamoto was elected as a chair of the California Seismic Safety Commission in October 2020. He has formerly served as a seismic safety commissioner for eight years where he has advocated for increased resiliency in California.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carothers |first1=Luke |title=Dr. Kit Miyamoto Elected as a Chair of California Seismic Safety Commission |url=https://csengineermag.com/dr-kit-miyamoto-elected-as-a-chair-of-california-seismic-safety-commission/ |work=Civil + Structural Engineer magazine |date=October 27, 2020}}</ref>

==Innovations== Dr. Miyamoto was responsible for the seismic retrofit of the Theme Building, an iconic Space Age structure at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The innovative retrofit consisted of adding a tuned mass damper (TMD) to the top of the building's core. The TMD option was selected because it was less expensive, protected the building's architectural features, and minimized building closure.<ref name="researchgate.net">(PDF) Seismic Retrofit of a Landmark Structure Using a Mass Damper: [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228774522_Seismic_Retrofit_of_a_Landmark_Structure_Using_a_Mass_Damper (PDF) Seismic Retrofit of a Landmark Structure Using a Mass Damper], accessdate: March 2, 2022</ref> This was the first time this retrofit had been achieved in the United States.<ref name="lawa.org">lawa.org/news-releases/2010/news-release-33: [https://www.lawa.org/news-releases/2010/news-release-33 lawa.org/news-releases/2010/news-release-33], accessdate: March 2, 2022</ref>

==Awards and recognitions== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Institution or Publication !Distinction |- |2024 |Award of Excellence<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award of Excellence Winner Kit Miyamoto Travels the Globe to Help Countries Rebuild From Disaster {{!}} Engineering News-Record |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/58472-award-of-excellence-winner-kit-miyamoto-travels-the-globe-to-help-countries-rebuild-from-disaster |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.enr.com |language=en}}</ref> |Engineering News Record |Recognition of trajectory in engineering, disaster risk reduction, and post-disaster and post-conflict response across the globe. |- | 2022 | Most Admired CEO<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Admired CEO honoree: H. Kit Miyamoto, Miyamoto International |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2022/01/28/kit-miyamoto-most-admired-ceo-2022-intro.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.bizjournals.com |date=January 28, 2022 }}</ref> | Sacramento Business Journal |Honorees for this award program were nominated by Business Journal readers and staff and chosen through a vote of their peers. |- | 2015 | Humanitarian Award<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Society of Civil Engineers - Sacramento Section - Photo Gallery |url=https://asce-sacto.org/gallery.php?id=8 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=asce-sacto.org}}</ref> | American Society of Civil Engineers of Sacramento |The award is given annually to an outstanding Sacramento Section member who supports ASCE's mission through dedication of time and involvement with humanitarian efforts, local Section affairs, safety, social services, and the like. |- | 2013 | G. Brooks Earnest Technical Lecture Award<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards |url=https://ascecleveland.org/awards |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=ascecleveland.org |language=en}}</ref> | American Society of Civil Engineers |This Award lecture is presented by an outstanding individual of National and/or International prominence, preferably one who is renowned in the field of Civil Engineering. |- | 2012 | Allied Professions Honor Award<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kit Miyamoto wins AIA Honor Award - Civil + Structural Engineer magazine |url=https://csengineermag.com/kit-miyamoto-wins-aia-honor-award/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=csengineermag.com/ |language=en-US}}</ref> | American Institute of Architects California Council |The award celebrates a member of an allied profession who is committed to enhancing and contributing to the field of architecture and architectural design. |- | 2012 | Distinguished Alumni<ref>{{cite web |title=Distinguished Alumni Awards |url=https://www.csus.edu/experience/alumni-association/programs/distinguished-alumni/index.html |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.csus.edu |language=en}}</ref> | California State University, Sacramento |The Distinguished Service Award recognizes professional achievements and community service to alumni. |- | 2011 | Distinguished Alumni<ref>{{Cite web |title=CSU, Chico Distinguished Alumni – Chico State Alumni Association |url=https://www.csuchico.edu/alumni/distinguished-alumni/distinguished-alumni-alpha.shtml |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.csuchico.edu |language=en}}</ref> | California State University, Chico |The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni from California State University for their outstanding contributions to their communities. |- | 2011 | Alfred E. Alquist California Seismic Safety Commissioner<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointed Commissioners & Staff {{!}} Seismic Safety Commission |url=https://ssc.ca.gov/staff/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |language=en}}</ref> | Seismic Safety Commission |The Seismic Safety Commission (SSC) investigates earthquakes, researches earthquake-related issues and reports, and recommends to the Governor and Legislature policies and programs needed to reduce earthquake risk. |- | 2011 | Community Service Award<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcmzJORIGtI |title=Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce 2012 Installation & Awards Banquet Highlights |date=2012-02-03 |last=Mike Alvarez |access-date=2024-06-18 |via=YouTube}}</ref> | Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce | |- |}

== Disaster response == Miyamoto works in earthquake damage assessment, building safety, capacity building, and reconstruction strategies to improve seismic resilience. His work focuses on failure mechanisms and improved construction practices to reduce future earthquake risks. {| class="wikitable" |+ !Seismic Event !Contributions !Outcomes and impact |- |Sichuan, China (M-8.0, 2008) |Observation and assessment of collapsed schools and other buildings, identifying issues with non-ductile concrete construction<ref>{{Cite web |title=Earthquake Reconnaissance of the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake and Retrofit Options – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive |url=https://www.earthquakeengineeringtechnicalpapers.com/technical-papers/earthquake-reconnaissance-of-the-2008-sichuan-earthquake-and-retrofit-options/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> | * Provided recommendations on improving construction practices and seismic safety of buildings<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miyamoto |date=2013-02-05 |title=New 10 Coverage of Sichuan China Earthquake - 2008 |url=https://miyamotointernational.com/new-10-coverage-of-sichuan-china-earthquake-2008/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Miyamoto International |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Port-au-Prince, Haiti (M-7.0, 2010) |Damage assessment and reconstruction planning<ref>{{Cite web |title=Massive Damage Assessment Program and Repair and Reconstruction Strategy in the Aftermath of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive |url=https://www.earthquakeengineeringtechnicalpapers.com/technical-papers/massive-damage-assessment-program-and-repair-and-reconstruction-strategy-in-the-aftermath-of-the-2010-haiti-earthquake-2/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> | * Assessed 430,000 buildings and developed a repair program for damaged structures * Trained over 600 local engineers and 6,000 masons in seismic-resistant construction techniques * Helped repair nearly 10,000 houses, impacting over 100,000 people<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Miyamoto |first1=H. Kit |last2=Gilani |first2=Amir S.J. |date=March 28, 2012 |title=URBAN EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION: 2010 HAITI EARTHQUAKE |url=https://www.iitk.ac.in/nicee/wcee/article/WCEE2012_0328.pdf |access-date=August 27, 2024}}</ref> |- |Tōhoku, Japan (M-9.0, 2011) |Damage assessment and tsunami impacts<ref>{{Cite web |title=Early Field Survey of Damage from Japan's March 11th Earthquake and Tsunami, presentation by Kit Miyamoto |url=https://www.eeri.org/chapters/norcal/past-meetings/11770-early-field-survey-of-damage-from-japan-s-march-11th-earthquake-and-tsunami-presentation-by-kit-miyamoto |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.eeri.org}}</ref> | * Observed failures of seawalls and nuclear power plant cooling systems * Provided recommendations on improving tsunami resilience of coastal infrastructure<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Miyamoto |first1=H. Kit |last2=Gilani |first2=Amir S.J. |title=The 2011 Eastern Japan Earthquake: Facts and Reconstruction Recommendations |url=https://www.iitk.ac.in/nicee/wcee/article/WCEE2012_0330.pdf |access-date=August 27, 2024}}</ref> |- |Gorkha District, Nepal (M-7.8, 2015) |Damage assessment in Kathmandu and remote villages<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Miyamoto |first1=H. Kit |last2=Gilani |first2=Amir S.J. |date=2016 |title=Damage Assessment and Seismic Retrofit of Buildings Following the 2015 Nepal and 2016 Ecuador Earthquakes |url=https://learningfromearthquakes.org/2015-04-25-nepal/images/2015_04_25_25_nepal/pdfs/2016_SEAOC_Miyamoto_Gilani.pdf |access-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827192500/https://learningfromearthquakes.org/2015-04-25-nepal/images/2015_04_25_25_nepal/pdfs/2016_SEAOC_Miyamoto_Gilani.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | * Evaluated safety of damaged buildings and provided repair recommendations * Advised on reconstruction strategies and seismic strengthening of structures<ref>{{Cite web |title=Damage Assessment of Seismic Retrofit Midrise Buildings Nepal WCEE 2017 – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive |url=https://www.earthquakeengineeringtechnicalpapers.com/technical-papers/damage-assessment-of-seismic-retrofit-midrise-buildings-nepal-wcee-2017/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Manabí Province, Ecuador (M-7.8, 2016) |Damage assessment in affected coastal areas<ref name=":0" /> | * Worked with local officials to evaluate building safety and develop reconstruction plans * Provided training to local engineers on post-earthquake assessment techniques<ref name=":0" /> |- |Paktika, Afghanistan (M-5.9, 2022) |Damage assessment to develop repair strategies for traditional mud brick buildings<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miyamoto Technical Support to Afghanistan Shelter Cluster {{!}} Shelter Cluster |url=https://sheltercluster.org/afghanistan/pages/miyamoto-technical-support-afghanistan-shelter-cluster |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=sheltercluster.org}}</ref> | * Provided recommendations on improving earthquake resistance of vernacular construction techniques * Trained local engineers and masons on proper repair and reconstruction methods<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elassy |first=Hala |date=2023-07-04 |title=Miyamoto Relief's engagements in Afghanistan, 2022 |url=https://www.humanitarianlibrary.org/resource/miyamoto-relief%E2%80%99s-engagements-afghanistan-2022 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Humanitarian Library |language=en}}</ref> |- |Osmaniye and Gaziantep, Türkiye-Syria (M-7.8, 2023) |Damage assessment to heavily damaged areas, building collapses and failures<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZS0ZIrGAw0 |title=Turkey Earthquake {{!}} Dr. Kit Miyamoto on CNN with Becky Anderson |date=2023-02-21 |last=Miyamoto International |access-date=2024-08-27 |via=YouTube}}</ref> | * Evaluated reasons for widespread destruction, including poor construction quality and lack of code enforcement * Provided recommendations on improving building safety and reconstruction strategies<ref>{{Cite web |title=Field Survey of Buildings After Mw = 7.8 Turkey Earthquake: Observations and Remedial Measures – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive |url=https://www.earthquakeengineeringtechnicalpapers.com/technical-papers/field-survey-of-buildings-after-mw-7-8-turkey-earthquake-observations-and-remedial-measures/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> |} *

==Media== He was also featured in the “Designing for Disaster” exhibit at the National Building Museum.<ref name="aecom.com">Blog: [https://aecom.com/blog/designing-for-disaster/ Designing for Disaster – Blog], accessdate: March 2, 2022</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Miyamoto, Hideki}} Category:Structural engineers Category:Earthquake engineering Category:1963 births Category:Living people