Users of hydrological and meteorological data in Japan have grown significantly in number with the development of new technologies and sectors; from aviation and shipping to public services such as weather forecasting, there is increasing pressure on hydromet services to provide accurate, real-time information.
Today, up-to-date information on severe weather events is provided to the general public by the JMA, in collaboration with central and local disaster management authorities and other key stakeholders. Reaching first responders and the general public is a critical component of Japan’s effective early warning system, and early warnings at the municipality level have improved over the last decade largely in part to better communication and cooperation between stakeholders.
For example, MLIT’s Erosion and Sediment Control Department established a partnership with prefectural governments to promptly issue landslide alert information to at-risk citizens.
Financial resources and will to enhance service delivery.
Collaboration across government and private sectors to ensure optimal service delivery.
A comprehensive multi-hazard approach should be adopted, with collaboration between relevant actors such as disaster management agencies, local governments and private sector entities.
Early warning systems must be able to deliver essential information to first responders and the general public at the local level.
The end-user’s needs should inform and shape the development of hydrological and meteorological services, such as delivering clear information through the most appropriate medium.
The effort to modernize hydrological and meteorological systems in Japan began in the 1950’s and continues to the present day. For example, the JMA Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System (AMeDAS) is a network of over 1,300 automatic weather stations that was incrementally upgraded from the 1970’s. The system is now capable of collecting data sets from key stations every minute and can deliver information to end-users within 40 seconds. This data serves as a crucial input for early warning systems and enables accurate tracking of weather patterns. Another major milestone has been the series of Geostationary Meteorological Satellites (Himawari-1 to Himawari-8) which have further strengthened hydromet services in not only Japan, but across the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, the Japan Meteorological Business Support Center (JMBSC) and the Foundation of River & Basin Integrated Communications (FRICS) work to ensure the broader use of hydromet data by municipalities, the general public, and private sector actors.
Sufficient financial resources and technical know-how to modernize systems.
Political will to mobilize resources towards modernization of systems.
Strong, quality-assured, user-centric observation systems are critical for delivery of effective hydrological and meteorological services and underpin climate change adaptation and DRM strategies such as river management practices and establishment of early warning systems.
A “second” operating center, such as a back-up facility that can resume all essential functions and services in the case of an emergency, should be established in order to ensure business continuity.
Key institutions in Japan’s hydromet landscape have evolved since the 1950’s. For example, hydrological institutions have undergone several changes, such as after the enactment of the 1964 River Law Act (revised version). This law required authorities tasked with managing rivers to adhere to integrated river basin management principles, as opposed to more area-focused disaster management practices that were prevalent prior to this (e.g., shifting from circle levees, which only protect the builder’s community, to continuous levees, which ensure more equitable protection for the wider population). As for meteorological services, the regulatory framework was established under the Meteorological Service Act of 1952, which designated the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as the authoritative body responsible for issuing emergency warnings.
In terms of legal framework, Japan’s laws assign clear roles and responsibilities for the National Hydrological Service (WDMB/MLIT), the National Meteorological Service (JMA), and other key stakeholders to ensure effective coordination.
Will and capacity to communicate, coordinate and collaborate across institutions and sectors.
Political will and resources to establish relevant laws and regulations to assign clear roles and responsibilities and facilitate coordination between different agencies and stakeholders.
The period after a major disaster can serve as an opportunity to assess institutional strengths, weaknesses, and make strategic improvements. For example, after the Isewan Typhoon in 1959, which killed over 5,000 people, the Government of Japan conducted a comprehensive review of national strategies. Experiences from this disaster were a major driving force behind the introduction of the 1961 Disaster Countermeasure Basic Act, which brought about systematic improvements to Japan’s hydromet services.
Legal frameworks should clearly stipulate roles and responsibilities of different actors across government, private and civil sectors, to enable smooth and coordinated implementation of hydrological and meteorological services.
Hydrological regulatory frameworks should be aligned with and integrated within Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Japan’s hydrological services are a key part of the country’s commitment to IWRM, which has enhanced sustainable water use and effective water cycle governance and promoted water efficiency and conservation of water resources.
Authorities activated pre-arranged agreements to mobilize contractors immediately after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, as part of what became known as “Operation Toothcomb”. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) implemented a strategy to ensure that the Tohoku expressway (an arterial road running from Tokyo to the northern tip of Japan’s Honshu island) was made passable as soon as possible, to enable delivery of relief supplies and expedite the response. As a result of this fast and coordinated response, 97 percent of the national coastal highways were accessible by 18th March, just 1 week after the earthquake struck. Additionally, the entire Tohoku Expressway was open to general traffic within 13 days of the earthquake’s occurrence.
Coordination across government sectors, as well as with stakeholders in private and public spheres.
Robust systems to ensure timely and accurate implementation of emergency inspections and post-disaster assessments.
Emergency inspections and assessments should be conducted together with nonstructural measures in the wake of a disaster.
Comprehensive planning, including procedures needed for resilient recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction, is critical.
If cars or drivers are exposed to any substantial risk, emergency traffic regulations and public notification systems must be activated immediately.
Implementing structural measures to reduce the risk of road damage
After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the main highways and roads to the affected areas were back up and running within weeks, which greatly expedited relief and recovery operations. This was largely due to robust structural measures, in conjunction with efficient recovery work by public services. In contrast, it took over 1 and a half years for the highway to be reconstructed after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995.
Financial resources and will to invest in structural resources.
Technological and engineering capacity to implement large-scale structural measures.
Structural measures reduce the risk of road damage due to geohazards, reduce road maintenance costs, ensure connectivity during and after disasters, and contribute to the speedy recovery of a road after geohazard events.
Bio-engineering and other types of structural measures can be implemented during the road construction, operation and maintenance stages.
A thorough assessment of geographical, geological, geotechnical, hydrological, and hydraulic conditions are essential for the effective design of structural measures.
Conducting risk assessment of geohazards and planning for both new and existing roads
Roads, expressways, and other public facilities helped reduce damage and loss of life in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake by providing protection against flooding, owing largely to successful risk assessments carried out pre-construction. For example, the East Sendai Expressway (elevation of 7 to 10 meters) acted as a secondary barrier against the incoming tsunami, preventing the waves from penetrating further inland. Over 200 people escaped by running up to the expressway, and its embankment served as an evacuation shelter for local residents.
Having sufficient resources to conduct risk assessments.
Availability of relevant data to conduct accurate assessments and inform planning of new and existing roads.
Pre-concept risk identification is crucial. For new roads, geohazard risk evaluations enable management authorities to make informed decisions on how to avoid hazardous locations.
Hazard mapping, evaluation of exposure levels, and determining potential impacts on the social environment are essential for holistic road geohazard risk management.
Determining potential economic impacts incurred from loss of road access and conducting a cost-benefit analysis of potential investments to mitigate geohazards are critical. The results of these assessments help identify and prioritize endangered locations and inform risk reduction measures.
