Having long since achieved total water and sanitation coverage within the country, Japan now focuses on national proactive disaster risk reduction measures, conservation of the natural environment, maintaining water quality, and improving the efficiency of water usage.
Externally, Japan is one of the world’s biggest and most active donors in water and sanitation in developing countries. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) provides comprehensive assistance from well-drilling to planning, building, and proper maintenance and management of water and sewer systems that are appropriate to the particular needs of the region.
As part of their work on preparedness for water-related disasters, Japan in cooperation with UNDP is providing assistance to the implementation of tsunami evacuation drills jointly conducted with local schools in 18 countries in Asia-Pacific region.
Japan is also investing in improvements of water and sanitation systems in order to promote maternal and child health and child development, and reduce the risk of infectious diseases and anti-microbial resistance. Safe water and sanitation plays an important role as countries move towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which ensures access to quality essential health-care services for all. As part of this work, the “UHC Forum 2017” was organised in Tokyo in December 2017 with the attendance of world leaders including Heads of State and UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres, and highlighting water and sanitation in the context of UHC.
