[July 2017]
21 – Rainy Season and Deluges – A Year of Local Governments in Japan

There are two peak periods in Japan where the risk of flooding is at its highest. One is called tsuyu which literally translates to “rain for growing plums” that goes from mid-June to mid-July and another in September when typhoons often strike Japan. The danger of flooding is at its highest during the latter half of tsuyu.

As you may have seen on several ABC news reports, there has recently been severe flooding and consequent landslides in Kyushu claiming more than 25 lives with around 20 people still unaccounted for. We have already confirmed the safety of all JET participants in the area but remain anxious about the total damage caused by the disaster and continue to hope for a prompt recovery.

Flood prevention is thought to be one of the most fundamental function of governments in East Asia which is subject to severe rainy seasons. The oldest embankment in Japan that currently exists was built in the 4th century and Japanese governments have struggled to continue building and maintaining similar embankments and facilities to manage strong river torrents. Nowadays, Japanese central and local governments share the task of flood prevention where the central government is responsible for managing large rivers that flow over the boundary of prefectures and coordinating policies and inter-governmental measures. Prefectural governments look after relatively large rivers within their areas and municipals are in charge of smaller ones.

Due to its humid climate and mountainous terrain, Japan is prone to natural disasters such as heavy rain and landslides. As such, the Japanese government is making every effort to prevent and prepare for such events.

 

Katsunori Kamibo

Director

Posted in From the Executive Director

Uncategorised

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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  • The sister city relationship between Nagoya City and City of Sydney will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2025.
     
    The Nagoya City official who came to Australia to participate in the Australian Multiculturalism Study Tour hosted by CLAIR Sydney, paid a visit to Sydney City Town Hall on Friday 24 November, and we assisted his visit. In addition to sharing information on the status of exchanges between the two cities’ sister zoos (Taronga Zoo and Higashiyama Zoo) and international exchanges in Nagoya City, a preliminary meeting was held for Deputy Mayor Matsuo’s visit to Sydney for December 2023.
     
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  • 2022/2023 CLAIR Forum

    On 3 March, CLAIR Sydney held the CLAIR Forum 2023 in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Public Policy and Governance (UTS: IPPG).

    This year’s theme was ‘Multisectoral Approach for Regional Revitalisation’. At the event, two members from CLAIR Sydney and Carol Mills from UTS: IPPG and Andrew Francis from Parkes Council made a comprehensive presentation each on local government policies and strategies that have revitalised local communities and economies in Japan and Australia during the current ongoing pandemic.

    Date: Friday 3 March 2023

    Venue: The Japan Foundation, Sydney – Seminar Room

    Speakers and topics:

    – Ms Shimizu (Assistant Director, CLAIR Sydney)

    Sustainable Urban Development Project in the Tokyo Bay Area

    – ​​ Prof Mills (Director, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney)

    Local Governments Collaborating with Organisations for Sustainable Urban Development with Reference to Sydney Parklands

    – Mr Inoue (Assistant Director, CLAIR Sydney)

    Approaches taken by Mihara City to Tackle Population Decline

    – ​Mr Francis (Director Infrastructure and Strategic Futures, Parkes Council)

    Local Governments Collaborating with Organisations with Reference to the Parkes Special Activation Precinct

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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