Mutual waterworks support system based on Japanese earthquake disaster experience

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, as well as experiencing other natural disasters arising from its geography, physiography and weather. The country has frequently experienced major disasters and it has been pointed out that it could be struck by large-scale earthquakes in the future, in areas such as the Nankai trough and Chishima trenches, and directly below Tokyo. Against this backdrop, the Japan Water Works Association (JWWA) has used its organizational strength to develop a mutual support system for recovery from disasters. In this paper the mutual support system's mechanism is described with an explanation of how JWWA developed it through its activities in recent disasters like the Great East Japan and Kumamoto earthquakes, in 2011 and 2016 respectively.