atsushi asakawa was the principal at the time. evacuation sites designated in the school's manual were the school roof or a nearby hill. due to the strength of the earthquake, asakawa immediately chose the hill. that decision spared the lives of 91 students when the tsunami wiped out the school building below. >> translator: if the faculty hadn't spent the previous year or two discussing disaster preparedness, i would have simply taken everyone to the roof. we need to use our knowledge to make the right decisions. otherwise, there's no point in preparing. >> reporter: the training program wrapped up with teachers discussing their concerns. one of them is miwa, the vice president of an elementary school. >> translator: we have a school manual and conduct drills, but they are just a formality. i don't know if any of our plans would actually save lives. >> reporter: shimosaka's school is only 50 meters from the ocean in soki. there are fears that an earthquake could trigger a tsunami. >> reporter: after participating in the program,