Theme: “The future of water supply system in Japan -What is a sustainable water utility-)”
※ This symposium is held in Japanese.
Sponsorship: JSRSAI
Cosponsorship: Institute of Economic Research, Tohoku Gakuin University
Sendai Tourim, Convention and International Association
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024, 15:00-18:00
Venue: Room The first floor of the basement. Hoy Memorial Hall, Tohoku Gakuin University
Outline:
This symposium discusses the sustainability and the future of water supply, which is essential for our life. In Japan, water supply is operated by a public enterprise, with water pipelines laid in response to increased demand during the period of rapid economic growth and sound management guaranteed by the Water Supply Business Act. However, declining water demand due to a population decline and improving water-saving technologies has worsened the financial situation of water utilities, making it difficult to renew ageing water pipelines.
Since this water service is operated by the municipality, the smaller the municipality, the worse this financial condition is. Although the pipelines will last for 40 years. In Japan, where earthquakes are common, it will be difficult to supply clean, abundant, and inexpensive water without further earthquake resistance. In order to avoid this water supply crisis in near future, each local governments are reforming their water supply administrations. Small municipalities in the Tohoku region are raising water tariffs and seeking to merge and consolidate their operations. In addition, Miyagi Prefecture is promoting partial privatization in the form of the Miyagi Houshiki. In this symposium, we discuss the future of water supply with the panelists who are experts in this field.
【Keynote Speakers and Panelists】
Satoru Masuda
Professor
Tohoku University
Hirokazu Koda
Partner
Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC
Ritsuji Yoshioka
Director
Yahaba Town, Iwate Prefecture
【Chair】
Tsuyoshi Shinozaki
Faculty of Economics
Tohoku Gakuin University