Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Achieving Urban Water Security in Tokyo

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Political Economy of Urban Water Security under Climate Change

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

  • 167 Accesses

Abstract

Tokyo is often described as the world’s largest water-stressed city. Since 1970, low rainfall years have become more frequent and observations show an increasing trend between extremely high and low rainfall events, in addition to decreased snowfall and increased early thaw events. Other issues that Tokyo is subject to are earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters, which cause damage to water supply and sewage networks, thereby disrupting water supply service provisions. The goal of dealing with water shortages is therefore at the core of water resource development in Tokyo. In response to these challenges, the government has expanded the city’s water infrastructure, water efficiency and water conservation measures, in addition to promoting a water-wise culture and developing an around the clock emergency water services squad to handle water shortage emergencies. The Japanese government has shown its commitment to integrated water resource management by implementing policies that support coordinated expansion and management of water, land and related resources. Good governance along with access to technical capacity and capital has helped Tokyo build urban water resilience.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson, C. R., Berdalet, E., Kudela, R. M., Cusack, C. K., Silke, J., O’Rourke, E., Dugan, D., McCammon, M., Newton, J. A., Moore, S. K. Paige, K., Ruberg, S., Morrison, J. R., Kirkpatrick, B., Hubbard, K., & Morell, J. (2019, May 22). Scaling up from regional case studies to a global harmful algal bloom observing system. Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00250

  • APFM (Associated Programme on Flood Management). (n.d.). Japan Water Agency. APFM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of Environment. (2018). Water quality control. Bureau of environment—TMG. https://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/pollution/quality.html. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Bureau of Waterworks. (n.d.-a). Questions in regard to water charges. Bureau of Waterworks, TMG. https://www.waterworks.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/eng/charge/charge-list.html. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Bureau of Waterworks. (n.d.-b). In order to deliver tap water in stable fashion. Bureau of Waterworks, TMG. https://www.waterworks.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/news/archive-46/. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Bureau of Waterworks. (n.d.-c). Potable delicious water obtained from rich forests. Bureau of Waterworks, TMG. https://www.waterworks.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/news/archive-47/. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Chen, W., Gao, W., Jiang, J., Wei, X., & Wang, R. (2021). Feasibility analysis of decentralized hybrid rainwater-graywater systems in a public building in Japan. Sustainable Cities and Society, 69, 102870.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EDMS. (2007). Review of the international water resources management policies and actions and the latest practice in their environmental evaluation and strategic environmental assessment final report. chapter 3: Japan. EDMS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furumai, H. (2008). Rainwater and reclaimed wastewater for sustainable urban water use. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 33(5), 340–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Furumai, H. (2016, June). Evaluation of rainwater harvesting and use potential considering climate change in Arakawa watershed. Novatech 2016: 9th International Conference on Planning and Technologies for Sustainable Management of Water in the City. Lyon, France: International Water Association. Hal-03322113.

    Google Scholar 

  • IWA (International Water Association). (2018). Tokyo endorses the International Water Association’s principles for water-wise cities. International Water Association (IWA). https://iwa-network.org/news/tokyo-endorses-the-international-water-associations-principles-for-water-wise-cities/. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • IWA (International Water Association). (2019). Tokyo report—Conclusions, key messages and outcomes. World Water Congress and Exhibition 2018. International Water Association (IWA). https://iwa-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2018_IWA_WWCE-Tokyo_Report.pdf. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • JST. (2009). Introduction of Japan Industrial Water Association. Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/en/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=200905074363695694. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • JWWA. (n.d.). Profile: Japan Water Works Association. JWWA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaigi, N. D. D. (2009). Dams in Japan: Past, present, and future. CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khanal, G., Thapa, A., Devkota, N., & Paudel, U. R. (2020). A review of harvesting and harnessing rainwater: An alternative strategy to cope with drinking water scarcity. Water Supply, 20(8), 2951.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitamura, T. (2012). Water Environment Management in Japan. WEPA Dialogue in Sri Lanka. Ministry of the Environment.

    Google Scholar 

  • KTR. (n.d.). About. Kanto Regional Development Bureau, MLIT. https://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/index.htm. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Leckie, H., Smythe, H., & Leflaive, X. (2021). Financing water security for sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region (Environment Working Paper No. 171). OECD. https://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=ENV/WKP(2021)3&docLanguage=En. Accessed 23 March 2022.

  • McDonald, R. I., Weber, K., Padowski, J., Flörke, M., Schneider, C., Green, P. A., Gleeson, T., Eckman, S., Lehner, B., Balk, D., Boucher, T., Grill, G., & Montgomery, M. (2014). Water on an urban planet: Urbanization and the reach of urban water infrastructure. Global Environmental Change, 27, 96–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • METI. (2008). White paper report. Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). https://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/downloadfiles/2008WhitePaper/3-4.pdf. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • METI. (2018). METI releases overseas development strategy of water industry. https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2018/0727_001.html. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • MLIT. (2001). Shutoken Hakusyo (Metropolitan area white paper). Ministry of Finance.

    Google Scholar 

  • MLIT. (2008). Water resources in Japan. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). https://www.mlit.go.jp/tochimizushigen/mizsei/water_resources/index.html. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • MLIT. (n.d.-a). Achieving water security in Japan and worldwide. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

    Google Scholar 

  • MLIT. (n.d.-b). Japan’s experience and technology regarding water resources management. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

    Google Scholar 

  • MOC. (2000). Kensetsu Hakusyo (Construction white paper). Infrastructure Development Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • MOC. (2018). The river law with commentary by article: Legal framework for river and water management in Japan. River Bureau, Ministry of Construction, Infrastructure Development Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • MOFA. (n.d.). Disaster and disaster prevention in Japan. https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/disaster/21st/2.html. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Nakajo, Y. (2010, July). A spiral approach to IWRM: The IWRM guidelines at river basin level. Hydrocomplexity: New tools for solving wicked water problems (IAHS Publ. 338). Kovacs Colloquium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogawa-Onishi, Y., & Berry, P. M. (2013). Ecological impacts of climate change in Japan: The importance of integrating local and international publications. Biological Conservation, 157, 361–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ortiz, D. A. (2018). An intricate systems of dams, levees and tunnels defends Japan’s capital. Will it be able to cope with climate change? BBC Future. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181129-the-underground-cathedral-protecting-tokyo-from-floods. Accessed 23 March 2022.

  • Petersen-Perlman, J. D., Veilleux, J. C., Zentner, M., & Wolf, A. T. (2012). Case studies on water security: Analysis of system complexity and the role of institutions. Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education, 149(1), 4–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plaza Homes Ltd. (2019). Preventative measures against flooding in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Plaza Homes Ltd. https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/news/tokyo-flood-prevention/. Accessed 1 April 2022.

  • Priscoli, J. D., & Hiroki, K. (2016). Introduction. Water Policy, 18(S2), 1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sato, C., Haga, M., & Nishino, J. (2006). Land subsidence and groundwater management in Tokyo. International Review for Environmental Strategies, 6(2), 403–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • SOUMU. (n.d.). Introduction of Kanto General Communication Bureau. Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. https://www.soumu.go.jp/soutsu/kanto/. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Swatuk, L. A., Brill, G., Buchner-Marais, C., Carden, C., Conradie, E., Day, J., Fatch, J., Fell, J., Hara, M., & Ncube, B. (2021). Towards the blue-green city: Building urban water resilience. South African Water Research Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takesada, N. (2009). Japanese experience of involuntary resettlement: Long-term consequences of resettlement for the construction of the Ikawa Dam. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 25(3), 419–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi, H., & Tanaka, H. (2020). Water reuse and recycling in Japan—History, current situation, and future perspectives. Water Cycle, 1, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TMG. (2018). Water supply in Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG). http://www.waterprofessionals.metro.tokyo.jp/tmwb-7.html. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • TMG. (n.d.). The structure of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG). https://www.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/ENGLISH/ABOUT/STRUCTURE/structure04.htm. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • Tomohiro, O. (2018, December 17). With water privatization, Japan faces crossroads in battling its aging pipes. The Japan Times.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tortajada, C. (2010). Water governance: Some critical issues. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 26(2), 297–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tournier, J. P., Bennett, T., & Bibeau, J. (2019, June 9–14). Sustainable and safe dams around the world: Proceedings of the ICOLD 2019 Symposium, (ICOLD 2019). Ottawa, Canada, CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • TSS Tokyo Water. (n.d.a). Leak detection and prevention. TSS Tokyo Water Co., Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • TSS Tokyo Water. (n.d.b). Profile. Tokyo Water Co., Ltd. (TSS). TSS Tokyo Water Co., Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN. (2015). Sustainable development goals knowledge platform. United Nations. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • UNESCO. (2009). IWRM guidelines at river basin level. Part 2–1: The guidelines for IWRM coordination. UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (2016). Water, megacities and global change. Portraits of 15 emblematic cities of the world. UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN FAO. (2017). Water for sustainable food and agriculture. A report produced for the G20 presidency of Germany. FAO.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-Water. (2013). 2030 water secure: Developing capacity to secure the 21st century water risk. UNU-INWEH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton, B. (2011). After earthquake, millions in Japan without water—Extent of damage to water infrastructure unknown. Circle of Blue. https://www.circleofblue.org/2011/world/after-earthquake-millions-in-japan-without-water%E2%80%94extent-of-damage-to-water-infrastructure-unknown/. Accessed 6 April 2022.

  • World Bank. (2006). Water resources management in Japan policy, institutional and legal issues. World Bank Analytical and Advisory Assistance (AAA) program (China: Addressing Water Scarcity Background Paper No. 1). The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2008). Japanese water and wastewater utility management. Accountability and performance management for better results (MNSSD Learning Series 1). The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamashita, A. (2018). History of urban water use in Tokyo with focusing on surface and subsurface water as water sources. In T. Kikuchi & T. Sugai (Eds.), Tokyo as a global city (pp. 115–135). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Yoichi, F. (2010, September 15). Global water security: Japan should play a key role. Asahi Shimbun.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Zhen Wei & Larry Swatuk

  2. Office of Sustainability, Sheridan College, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Mukhnaam Kaur Chattha

Authors
  1. Mukhnaam Kaur Chattha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhen Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Larry Swatuk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Larry Swatuk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ontario, ON, Canada

    Larry Swatuk

  2. Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada

    Corrine Cash

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Chattha, M.K., Wei, Z., Swatuk, L. (2022). Achieving Urban Water Security in Tokyo. In: Swatuk, L., Cash, C. (eds) The Political Economy of Urban Water Security under Climate Change . International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08108-8_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation