Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to strengthen drainage measures

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is coordinating with local governments to strengthen drainage and storage facilities to mitigate ‘inland flooding’ caused by heavy rainfall. The initiative aims to prepare for extreme downpours reaching approximately 100mm per hour by identifying high-risk areas such as residential depressions and underground shopping malls.

Proposed measures include promoting sewage system development and installing or expanding rainwater storage equipment and drainage pumps. The government is also considering national subsidies to cover costs. This move follows recent severe weather events, such as the heavy rains in Chiba in August, which caused flooding in urban areas and underpasses.

In Akita Prefecture, heavy rainfall has led to record-breaking precipitation levels for October. Locations including Sasago and Yajima in Yurihonjo City recorded 24-hour rainfall totals of 120mm and 119mm respectively, marking the highest levels observed in October for those stations.