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【JWF News Vol. 268】21 October 2026
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◇ Contents ◇
・Report from the Japan Water Forum
　- Water: Making Global Stages Possible

　- Disaster Response and Recovery from the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, Japan

　- AQUA PROGRAM 2025-2026 Completed!

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・Report from the Japan Water Forum
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– Disaster Response and Recovery from the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, Japan

On July 28, 2026, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck, with its epicenter in Kumamoto Prefecture. (Kumamoto Prefecture is located in central Kyushu, one of Japan’s four large islands, in the southwestern part of the country. Strong shaking was observed across a wide area of Kyushu.)

Severe damage has occurred, particularly across Kumamoto Prefecture, including Kumamoto City, which hosted the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in 2022. The disaster has had a significant impact on lives, property, and the infrastructure that supports daily life and society.

We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster. We would also like to express our deepest respect and appreciation to everyone working tirelessly to provide support on the ground.

The Japan Water Forum has collected information on emergency response efforts and initiatives aimed at recovery and reconstruction in response to the water-related impacts of the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake. We would like to share an overview of the current situation and will continue to update this information. We do so in the hope of supporting swift relief and recovery efforts and helping to reduce the impacts of natural disasters around the world.

Please visit the following website for details:
https://www.waterforum.jp/news/24827/　

(Reported by Shigenori Asai, Director)
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– Water: Making Global Stages Possible

How an international volleyball championship helped bring water and sustainability into focus

The AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship Fukuoka 2026 (AVC Fukuoka 2026) came to a thrilling close after captivating fans with world-class competition. Yet behind the action on the court was something essential to the athletes’ performance that often goes unnoticed: water.

From drinking water and post-match showers to clean toilets, handwashing facilities, laundry and venue cleaning, water plays a vital role at every turn. The excitement of an international sporting event depends on access to safe, reliable water and sanitation services.

To highlight this often-overlooked connection, a spectator survey titled “Water: Making Global Stages Possible” was conducted at the venue during AVC Fukuoka 2026.

Please visit the following website for details:
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/news/24824/　

(Reported by Sayoko KUWAHARA, Chief Manager)

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– AQUA PROGRAM 2025-2026 Completed!

AQUA PROGRAM is a joint project of F.D.C. Products Inc., jewelry brand 4°C, and the Japan Water Forum. Its aim is to empower people in developing countries and bring them beauty and inspiration by resolving the serious water problems they face.

Since the program’s establishment in 2008, several projects have been carried out in Kiribati, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Since 2017, we have been working with a rural coastal community in Bangladesh.

In the 2025-2026 project, rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) including AMAMIZU tanks were installed in 18 households in Ward No.5, Uttar Sutalori Village, and training in operations and maintenance took place.

Please visit the following website for details:
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/news/24775/　

(Reported by Takejiro Suzuki, Project Manager)

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【JWF News Vol. 268】21 October 2026
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