Japan's Water Environment Technology Advancements and Support for Developing Countries - 2020

Japan's Water Environment Technology Advancements and Support for Developing Countries - 2020

In the 2020s, Japan's water environment technology has seen increasing demand in developing countries. Japanese companies are actively involved in introducing water treatment facilities, particularly in Asia and Africa. For example, the major Japanese company "Hitachi Zosen" worked on constructing a wastewater treatment plant in Vietnam, completing a facility in 2021 with an annual capacity of 500,000 cubic meters. This has improved water quality in major cities like Hanoi, with the wastewater treatment rate rising to about 70%.

Advancements in Seawater Desalination Technology
In the 2020s, demand for seawater desalination technology has grown, especially in developing countries in arid regions. "Toray," one of Japan's leading companies in this field, widely provides its reverse osmosis membrane technology in countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman. In Saudi Arabia, a seawater desalination plant using Toray's technology achieved a daily freshwater supply of about 1 million cubic meters in 2020. This energy-efficient technology is considered crucial for sustainable water supply in developing countries.

Microplastic Pollution Countermeasures
In recent years, marine plastic pollution has garnered global attention. Since the 2020s, Japanese companies have been actively involved in addressing microplastic pollution. "Kawasaki Heavy Industries" developed a water purification system that efficiently separates and removes microplastics and introduced it in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2022. The system successfully processes about 200 tons of water daily and removes over 80% of plastic particles.

International Support for Water and Sewerage Infrastructure
Japan has made significant contributions to water and sewerage infrastructure development through international cooperation in the 2020s. The Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have provided funding and technical support for water and sewer infrastructure in African countries. In Nairobi, Kenya, a new wastewater treatment facility was completed in 2021, providing safe water to approximately 500,000 households.

Disaster Response Technology Dissemination
Japan is renowned for its resilient infrastructure against natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. These disaster response technologies are also essential in developing countries, which are increasingly affected by extreme weather due to climate change. In the 2020s, Japanese disaster-response water supply systems were introduced in countries like the Philippines and Bangladesh. For example, "NEC Corporation" established a water supply system in Cebu, Philippines, which can provide about 1,000 cubic meters of drinking water daily during emergencies.

Smart Water Management Systems
In the 2020s, AI and IoT-based "smart water management systems" have begun to spread in developing countries. "Panasonic" introduced smart water management technology in India in 2022. This system collects and analyzes real-time data on water usage and quality, enabling efficient water resource management. In cities like Mumbai and Chennai, water waste has been reduced by about 15%, promoting sustainable water use.