Chapter 4 Partnership with Local Governments and Universities
Nagoya University Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory Professor Akira Mizuno and researchers from Argentina and Chile implement a joint ozone layer gauging campaign at the Patagonian Atmospheric Observatory in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz Department, in the southern part of Argentina. (Photo: Yuji Misu)
The Government of Japan has always worked closely with universities and local governments, including prefectures and municipalities, in order to implement more effective development cooperation. These partnerships will gain even further importance under the new Development Cooperation Charter. For example, the government promotes technical cooperation and ODA loan projects with a range of universities. The objective is to comprehensively address the issues developing countries are facing by drawing on the expertise of universities. In addition, the government proactively collaborates with local governments with know-how and experiences useful for development cooperation, including know-how regarding urban infrastructure management.
A study regarding water-related disaster management is one example of the government’s partnership with universities. In recent years, Thailand has experienced an increasing number of water-related disasters that include floods and droughts, stimulating interest in their linkages with climate change. Against this background, from 2009, the Japanese government conducted a joint study for Thai universities with Japanese universities through JICA. The purpose of the study was to support the Thai government’s water-related disaster management by proposing models for ensuring effective management methods for Thailand’s water resources as well as water disaster mitigation measures, through collaboration among Japan’s University of Tokyo, Kyoto University and Tohoku University, and in partnership with Thailand’s Kasetsart University. As an outcome of this study, a technology was developed that can forecast the river’s water flow and then predict what the water level will be in a few hours to a few weeks’ time. This technology led to the development of a monitoring network in Thailand that can monitor the water flows and water levels of rivers in almost real time. In addition, this joint study led to the development of various forecasting models useful for flood control and water utilization measures, as well as the training of many young researchers on which the future of Thailand rests. As a result, a foundation has been created for engaging in comprehensive water utilization and flood control programs by the Thai government and local governments from a long-term perspective. Assessments of the outcomes of this joint study indicate that it has been enormously useful for collecting data and designing water-related disaster mitigation measures, as well as for the Thai government’s quick response to the major flooding that occurred in the Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand in 2011. Flooding, landslides, and water resource management are significant challenges not only in Thailand, but also in the neighboring countries in the region. It is expected that the achievements of this joint project with the involvement of Japanese and Thai universities will also be useful for addressing the issues facing the entire Southeast Asian region.
Flooding in the Pathum Thani Province north of Bangkok. (Photo: Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo)
Japanese and Thai researchers work together to install gauging equipment in order to prevent water damage. (Photo: Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo)
People of Samoa and Miyakojima engage in joint initiatives for improvement of water tank operations. (Photo: JICA)
As for joint initiatives by the government and local Japanese governments, one such example is the collaborative effort between the government and Miyakojima City to support the operation of Samoa’s waterworks, as described below. Samoa has few water resources though it is an island country surrounded by sea. The island has grappled with various problems that include a worsening sanitation situation during the rainy season due to the turbidity of the water in water tanks that store rainwater and groundwater, and water leakage from the water supply system. However, with the electricity supply also being unstable, Samoa did not have the capabilities to install water purification facilities, which are expensive to install, and require sophisticated maintenance and management systems and know-how. This brought attention to the technology employed by Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture, which has dealt with water issues specific to an island similar to Samoa. Having a flat terrain with no mountains or rivers, Miyakojima relies on groundwater for all of its drinking water and water for agriculture. Therefore, it was necessary to develop creative approaches to effectively filter stored groundwater. In this development process, a technology called the “ecological water purification system” was created. In this method, microbes decompose impurities as water passes through layers of gravel and sand at moderate speed. This safe and low-cost “ecological water purification system” perfectly matched the needs of Samoa. Thus, since 2010, Miyakojima City has partnered with the Japanese government to provide technical training to Samoan government officials. In addition, the city dispatched water and sewerage officials to Samoa to provide technical guidance. Thanks to these initiatives, Miyakojima’s “ecological water purification system” has been introduced in different areas of Samoa. The technology of Miyakojima has not only brought safe water to the people of Samoa, but has also delivered a waterworks operation that is managed by the people of Samoa.
In October 2014, the Government of Japan held a seminar on partnerships with local governments to broaden the horizons of local governments engaging in international cooperation, and to revitalize Japanese local regions through overseas programs. A total of 107 people attended the seminar, including 43 local government officials. At this seminar, JICA explained the various schemes available for local governments to conduct overseas programs using ODA. In addition, local governments that have partnered with developing countries in a variety of sectors, such as water, disaster risk reduction, and waste treatment, namely, Obihiro City, Higashi-Matsushima City, Yokohama City, Komagane City, Osaka City, Kita-Kyushu City, and Naha City, shared their experiences and know-how. For example, Obihiro City shared its experience of having held a seminar for food industry people in developing countries on food safety and distribution held in collaboration with local companies. Kita-Kyushu City explained its international cooperation programs in the water sector. Through these initiatives, the government will continue to further enhance its partnerships with local governments in the field of development cooperation.