#Resilience

What is the Act on Regulation of Embankment?

On May 26, 2023, the "Act on Regulation of Housing Land Development and Specified Embankment" (commonly known as the "Act on Regulation of Embankment") came into effect. This law is a complete revision of the "Act on the Regulation of Housing Land Development" enacted in 1961, the first such revision in approximately 60 years. The role of local public organizations has become extremely important, and initiatives for "Embankment DX," such as introducing new management systems, are indispensable. We talked to four people from PACIFIC CONSULTANTS who support projects related to Act on Regulation of Embankment as the project team related to Act on Regulation of Embankment: Hirokazu KADOTA, Chiyoshi MINAMI from, Project Management Dept. Project Management Div., Ryohei SANDA (Information Policy Sec., Social Innovation Dept., Kyushu Headquarters), and Naohiro TOGAWA (currently at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other Project Management Sec., PM/CM Dept., Project Management Div.).

What is River Basin Disaster Resilience and Sustainability by All (River Basin Management)?

River basin disaster resilience and sustainability by all (river basin management) was proposed as a flood management measure in which various stakeholders in the river basin work together to address the issue from both hard and soft perspectives. “River Basin Management Project" has also begun. However, because there are so many stakeholders involved and the measures are so wide-ranging, some have expressed that it is difficult to see exactly how collaboration should take shape, which measures should be prioritized, and what the expected outcomes will be. To understand how to overcome these challenges and move toward full-scale implementation, we have asked four peoples at PACIFIC CONSULTANTS: Ryoji HIRAKAWA, a Chief Technical General Manager, who leads the river basin management initiative; Shogo NAGAO from Urban Management Sec., Transportation Planning Dept., Social Innovation Div.; Haruka SUZUKI from the Regional Flood Management Planning Sec., River Basin Planning Dept., Land Infrastructure Div.; and Hiroaki MAEDA from the DS Promotion Sec. and Resilience Promotion Sec., Disaster Prevention Dept. Digital Service Div.

Odagawa River Confluence Point Relocation Project

The "July 2018 Heavy Rains" caused widespread damage across western Japan. In particular, the collapse of the Oda River levee in Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, resulted in severe damage, including 51 deaths. The government decided to expedite the completion of the already-started project to relocate the confluence point with the Takahashi River by five years to ensure the safety of the river basin as quickly as possible. Numerous construction consultants and construction companies rallied together for this emergency project. PACIFIC CONSULTANTS also handled many of the tasks. We talked to Kenji KIMURA of the River Structure Sec., River Basin Structural Dept., Land Infrastructure Div., who oversaw the entire project as the project manager.

Use of SAR Satellites in Disaster Prevention

The "Long-Term Assessment of the Probability of Earthquakes" by the government's Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion predicts a high probability of a massive earthquake, and as natural disasters become more severe and frequent due to climate change, the efficiency and sophistication of disaster prevention and mitigation measures through DX are becoming an urgent issue. As an important tool for this, commercial SAR satellites are attracting attention because of their ability to observe the ground at high frequencies regardless of time of day or weather conditions. We interviewed Mr. Toshiki YANAGIMACHI, Technical Manager of the Resilience Promotion Sec., Mr. Tsukasa MITOGAWA, Assitant Manager of the Disaster Prevention DX Promotion Sec. of Disaster Prevention Dept., Digital Service Div. and Mr. Nobukazu SASAKI, General Manager of Technology Development Sec. of Advanced Technology Center of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, who are working on satellite applications in the field of spatial information technology.

Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Ports and Harbors

With rising sea levels and larger typhoons due to climate change, how to protect ports from flooding damage has become a major issue. However, because ports are spread across a wide area and involve a variety of public and private entities, no single entity can take effective measures alone. What is needed is "collaborative protection," in which all stakeholders work together toward a common goal. The government has also published "Guidelines for Creating Collaborative Protection Plans," and in the future, each port will begin full-scale efforts. We spoke with Takayuki Ooie, General Manager of Section of Ports and Harbors and Coast Sec. in the Port Ports and Harbors Dept. PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, and Ryunosuke Kanno Chief Project Manager of Ports and Harbors Planning Sec. about the latest trends in collaborative protection efforts.

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS' Naganuma Dam Project

The Hasama River, a Class A river in northern Miyagi Prefecture, frequently floods and is nicknamed the "Wild River." In 1971, a comprehensive flood control plan was drawn up to build 10 dams and one retarding basin, with Naganuma Dam, which utilizes natural lakes and marshes, at the center of the plan. However, the surrounding area is low-lying marshland with continuous soft ground. No dam had ever been built on such soft ground before. Four people who supported this difficult construction project, which lasted 40 years, from planning to completion: Tetsuo KOMORIYA, General Manager of Renewable Energy Promotion/Development Sec., River Basin Structural Dept., Land Infrastructure Div.; Takehiko HIRATSUKA in the Dams and Erosion Control Sec. of the same department; Atsushi FUNAYAMA, Geotechnical Engineering Dept. of the same division; and Ken OKAYA in the Tohoku Land Infrastructure Dept., look back on the efforts.

Corporate's Climate Change Countermeasures

In recent years, extreme weather events such as extreme heat waves and torrential rains have been occurring frequently in many parts of the world, causing severe damage such as floods and landslides. These weather disasters are believed to be caused by global warming in addition to the effects of natural variability. It is "beyond doubt" ("IPCC 6th Report") that human activities have caused global warming mainly through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and how to reduce GHG emissions has become an important issue not only for governments and local public organizations but also for private companies and individual citizens. We interviewed three people who are involved in the formulation of guidelines for national climate change countermeasures and at the same time provide a wide range of support for local public organizations and corporate carbon neutrality, from strategic planning to on-site implementation: Kimiko KAJII, Chief Technical General Manager and General Project Manager of ESG Sustainable Smart City, Ryota II, General Manager of GX Promotion Dept., Social Innovation Div., and Keizo IKEDA, General Manager of Climate and Resources Policy Sec., who is also a member of this department of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, about how companies should promote climate change countermeasures.

Protecting Corporate Facilities and Factories from Landslides

In recent years, there have been many landslides caused by short periods of heavy rain, and the number of casualties per disaster has been on the rise. Protecting corporate employees, their families, facilities, and factories from landslides is a major issue for business continuity. However, when it comes to deciding specifically where to start, many people say they don't know where to start. We spoke with Takahiro Igarashi, who is in charge of supporting companies in formulating disaster prevention plans, business creation, and the development and operation of the landslide information service "Doshaburu®" in the Disaster Disaster Prevention Dept. of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS 'Digital Service Div. Headquarters, and Tatsuki Hirano of the Resilience Promotion Office in the same department.

When Should You Review Your BCP Measures? Introducing Examples by Company Sizes

"Is the current BCP really useful?" Anxiety is growing against the backdrop of the worsening and frequent damages caused by floods and typhoons, and the increasing urgency of large-scale earthquakes and so on. However, there are many companies that have not even reviewed their BCP since they were formulated. What and how should be reviewed to make it more practical, and what should companies consider when formulating their BCP in the future? We talked to Gou YAMAMURA, General Manager of the Resilience Promotion Sec., Disaster Prevention Dept., Digital Service Div.

What is Area Resilience?

In August 8, 2024, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a Nankai Trough Earthquake Advisory (warning of a massive earthquake) following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred in the Hyuga Sea, Miyazaki Prefecture. This event reminded us once again of the national-level disaster that is said to be "coming someday". Once a major disaster occurs, we cannot rely on government support alone. This is why area resilience is now attracting attention through PPP and collaboration among companies. We interviewed Shinji IIDA, General Manager of Watershed Disaster Prevention Sec., Disaster Prevention Dept., Digital Service Div. about area resilience and what kind of preparations are necessary.

What is Disaster Resilience?

Since Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, adopted at the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, called for "strengthening resilience against disasters," resilience has become an important keyword in disaster prevention. We talked to with Takashi ITO, General Manager of the Disaster Prevention Dept., Digital Service Div., about what resilience is, which is said to be a step forward from conventional thinking of disaster prevention and reduction, and how it can be realized.

Key Points for Formulating and Reviewing Disaster Waste Disposal Plan

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the formulation of a "Disaster Waste Disposal Plan" became mandatory. It is said that approximately 80% of municipalities and 100% of prefectures have already formulated such plans, but to make the plans more effective, it is essential to review them regularly. We spoke to Junya UEDA, chief consultant of the Regional Environment Development Sec., Resource Circulation Management Dept., and Kosuke NOZUE, an engineer in the same Section, about the key points of the update.

Protecting the Roots that Support Society

Have you ever thought about the underground infrastructure that lies beneath our feet? We have summarized our thoughts on the maintenance and management of the ever-changing sewerage business.

Towards a Transition to a Sustainable Society

Transitioning to a sustainable society has become a global issue. In this context, we feel the importance of responding to climate change and nature (natural capital and biodiversity), and we have been thinking about how we should further tackle the creation of a sustainable society.

Towards Ensuring Urban Sustainability

What is the background to the need for smart cities, and what kind of smart cities are currently required by society?