Japan is not a water abundant country. It
has a narrow surface area, rapid run-off of
precipitation, and high population density1.
The quantity of annual natural renewable
water resources per capita in Japan (about
3,372 m3 per capita) is only one half of the
world average. In addition, there are great
fluctuations in rainfall—both seasonally and
between the years. As a result of both of
these factors—an absolute shortage of water
and considerable variability over time—
Japan has suffered severe water shortages
several times in the recent past. For example,
the Tokyo metropolitan area experienced
water scarcity in the early 1960’s when the
city of Tokyo was forced to restrict water
supply for 42 months, from October 1961 to
March 19652.
In order to solve the water scarcity problem,
Japan has aggressively developed its water
resources, mainly by constructing new
water storage facilities (largely dams). At
In China, natural water availability is much worse
than Japan. According to the AQUASTAT, natural
renewable water resources per capita in China (2,186
m3 per capita) is about two thirds of Japan (3,372 m3
per capita). Water withdrawals per capita in China
(439 m3 per capita) is also about two thirds of Japan
(735 m3 per capita).
2 This was the most severe water shortage in Tokyo
metropolitan area after the World War II, and was
called the “Tokyo Olympic Water Shortage”. In 1964,
water supply was restricted by up to 50% and this
caused severe disruptions to the public’s daily
activities, such as washing and bathing at home,
operation of hospitals, fire fighting, and even led to
food poisoning in some cases. In addition,
accumulated ground subsidence (starting in the
1930s) exceeded 4 meters during the latter half of
1960s due to ground water abstraction which
amounted to a maximum of .6 million m3 per day.