 |
| World
Water Problems and Japan |
 |
| Intensifying World
Water Problems |
| Water shortages are occurring in
country after country due to the rapid growth of populations and the
development of the society. Besides shortages of the water necessary
to sustain daily life, shortages of water may be accompanied by serious
food shortages and negative effects on ecosystems. A variety of other
problems are also occurring such as water pollution caused by the
lack of waste water disposal facilities and increases of population
in areas that are subject to dangerous flooding. There are concerns
that increases in the population of the world will further intensify
such problems, led by shortages of water. |
| [Risk
of water shortages] |
 |
| (Note) |
|
| |
| 1. |
From
Stockholm Environment Institute, Comprehensive Assessment
of the Fresh-water Resources of the World, 1997 |
| 2. |
This
map shows the degree of risk of water shortages
in various countries using composite indices based
on the quantity currently used versus available
aquatic resources as well as the relationship between
the reliability of the water supply and national
income. |
|
|
|
| [Outlook
for quantity of world water demand] |
 |
| (Note) |
|
| |
From Assessment
of Water Availability in the World: Shiklomanov. 1996
(Issued by WMO) |
|
|
| Main International
Water-related Issues |
| The following are recognized as
the main international water-related issues: ensuring safe drinking
water and sanitation facilities, ensuring water for the production
of food, preserving water eco-systems, managing floods and other risks,
and ensuring efficient use and effective allocation of water resources.
Discussions are proceeding on these issues. |
| Japan, which uses the
water of the world |
| Led by imports of food, Japan depends
on imports for many goods. The quantity of water that is necessary
for the production of the food that Japan imports is said to be the
equivalent of tens of billions of cubic meters of water per year.
Japan will be affected by any intensification of world water problems.
Because of Japan's development, the country has a broad range of experience
and technology related to water. Japan also provides a great amount
of water-related technical and financial assistance to developing
countries. Consequently, Japan too has an interest in world water
problems and believes it has a need to play a positive role. |
| [World
self-sufficiency rate in food (on the basis of calories supplied)] |
 |
|
| [Quantity
of water necessary for the production of main imports] |
 |
| (Notes) |
|
| |
| 1. |
Compiled
from administrative materials of the third World
Water Forum |
| 2. |
Wheat
includes wheat, barley, corn, kaoliang, and other
cereals |
| 3. |
Pulses
includes soy beans and other pulses |
|
|
|
| [(Reference)
Quantity of water used domestically in Japan] |
 |
|
|
