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WOTA and Kanagawa's Historic Agreement for Disaster Water Management

In a groundbreaking initiative, WOTA Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, has partnered with Kanagawa Prefecture to establish Japan's first-ever comprehensive mutual aid agreement regarding disaster water supply resources. This concerted effort reflects WOTA's vision for a "Water Circulation System between municipalities"—a step towards enhancing disaster response across the nation.

This agreement was welcomed by Yuji Kuroiwa, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture and chair of the Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention Special Committee, who has been advocating for a nationwide system for reciprocal support among municipalities. The aim is to bolster preparedness for large-scale disasters, including the recent Noto Peninsula Earthquake, which highlighted the critical need for an organized water supply system during crises.

The collaboration involves a structured plan to ensure hygiene and supply of drinking water at evacuation centers by pooling resources from various municipalities. Through this mutual aid agreement, WOTA plans to initiate similar agreements across all 47 prefectures, allowing for a flexible, swift response to imminent disasters that are unpredictable in terms of timing and location.

Background of the Agreement

This initiative stems from learnings gained during the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, where disruptions in water supply impacted over 100,000 people for more than a month. Such disasters often leave water infrastructures—like water supply and sewage systems—inoperable for extended periods, escalating the need for an effective distribution of life-sustaining water resources.

WOTA’s response during the Noto disaster included launching immediate water supply measures, utilizing technical partners and government assistance to provide innovative water circulation systems. Approximately 300 systems were deployed to evacuation shelters, significantly enhancing access to hygiene facilities, and showing a strong commitment to water sustainability during the crisis.

The Need for a Collaborative Approach

The events during the Noto Peninsula Earthquake exposed the time it takes to coordinate an efficient resource sharing plan. Had a mutual aid framework been in place, essential resources could have been deployed from unaffected municipalities much quicker. WOTA aims to prioritize the establishment of this aid system before a disaster occurs, ensuring prompt and adequate water supply for sanitation and public health.

The Future of the Water Circulation System

This agreement aims to enhance the water management system by focusing on three key functionalities:
1. Structure in Peace Time: Initiating information sharing and training to prepare municipalities for a collective response.
2. Priority Resource Allocation during Disasters: Coordinating requests for aid from affected areas and organizing resources from untouched areas efficiently.
3. Effective Distribution of Water: Aid strategies will focus on the specific water needs in affected regions, ensuring that all municipal resources are effectively utilized.

WOTA plans to expand this comprehensive mutual aid approach to all prefectures across Japan, positioning it as a resilient framework to respond not only to known disasters but also to sudden catastrophes that may arise unexpectedly.

Conclusion

WOTA's mission emphasizes that advanced water supply systems must be initiated and expanded nationally to tackle future challenges effectively. By establishing a robust inter-municipal cooperation framework for water resources, WOTA and Kanagawa Prefecture are setting a pioneering model for disaster response in Japan. This mutual effort underscores that through collaboration, communities can enhance their disaster resilience, ensuring that vital water supply is always available when needed the most.

For more information, please visit WOTA's official website.