Integrated water resources management and drought risk management in Japan

Japan has experienced several severe drought disasters in the past and is still suffering from drought conditions in some parts of the country every year. To cope with the drought disasters, Japan takes three types of countermeasures: (i) water resources planning and development as supply side measures; (ii) promotion of efficient water use as demand side measures; and (iii) coordinated drought risk management as risk control measures. Owing to continuous efforts in water resources development, water saving, and water recycling, drought risk is currently mitigated to some extent. Japan further needs to improve the drought safety level and secure stable water supply.