JWF participates various water relate events in Japan and abroad.
Flood Fighting Drill Tour
“Flood Fighting Exercise Embassy Tour 2025” was a great success!
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the 73rd Tone River System Combined Flood Fighting Exercise was held in Dojojuku, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. Flood Fighting Exercises are held throughout Japan before the flood season, with the main purpose of passing on flood fighting techniques and raising awareness of disaster prevention in Japan. The Tone River System Combined Flood Fighting Exercise is the largest of its kind in Japan.
The Flood Fighting Exercise Embassy Tour is held to introduce Japan’s flood disaster countermeasures to ambassadors, embassies, and international organizations stationed in Japan representing countries around the world, and will be held for the 14th time in 2025.
This year, in conjunction with the above-mentioned Comprehensive Flood Fighting Exercise organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and related local governments, the Japan Water Forum organized this event again this year and invited VIPs from embassies in Tokyo.
Outline of the 73rd Tone River System Combined Flood Fighting Exercise:
|
Date |
May 17, 2025 (Sat.) |
|
Venue |
Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan |
|
Host |
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tochigi Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Kanagawa Prefecture, Utsunomiya City |
|
Flood fighting drill |
Opening Ceremony, |
|
Number of participants |
Approx. 5,000 people |
This year’s Flood Fighting Exercise Embassy Tour included a visit to the 73rd Tone River System Coalition and Comprehensive Flood Fighting Exercise, as well as a visit to the Roadside Station, Kazo-Watarase, where a lecture was given on the history of the Watarase Reservoir and its main functions. The Watarase Reservoir is the largest reservoir in Japan and was registered as one of the Ramsar wetlands in 2012.
Overview of “Flood Fighting Exercise Embassy Tour 2025
|
Purpose of the event |
Providing opportunities for embassy and international organization officials in Tokyo to observe and experience traditional Japanese flood prevention activities. |
|
Host |
Water Management and Land Conservation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism |
|
Planning & Management |
Japan Water Forum |
|
Program Overview |
*Observation of flood drills, rescue and first aid drills |
|
Participating countries, number of people |
Embassy Tours: 21 participants from 13 countries |
“Flood Fighting Exercise Embassy Tour 2025” participant information
This year, 21 people from 13 countries participated in the event.
Breakdown of participants by region
|
Continent/Region |
Number of countries (Number of persons) |
Country |
|
Africa |
6（8） |
*Cote d’Ivoire/*Uganda/*Nigeria/ |
|
Southeast Asia |
1（2） |
*Myanmar |
|
Central Asia |
1（1） |
*Turkmenistan |
|
West Asia |
1（4） |
*Syrian Arab Republic |
|
Europe |
2（2） |
*United Kingdom/*Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|
Oceania |
1（1） |
*Australia |
|
Central and South America |
1（3） |
*Colombia |
Flood Fighting Exercise Embassy Tour Results
This year’s event was attended by many ambassador-level officials as an evidence that countries are increasingly concerned about water-related disasters due to rapid climate change over the past few years.
|
Year |
Number of Ambassadors |
Number of non-ambassadors |
Total number of participants |
|
2025 |
10 |
11 |
21 |
|
2019 |
3 |
17 |
20 |
|
2018 |
1 |
28 |
29 |
|
2017 |
5 |
23 |
28 |
|
2016 |
1 |
19 |
20 |
|
2015 |
2 |
23 |
25 |
|
2014 |
1 |
27 |
28 |
|
2013 |
1 |
14 |
15 |
We, Japan Water Forum, will continue to address all water-related issues with wisdom and courage. We will continue to work as a team to contribute to the resolution of water issues in countries around the world. Your cooperation should be highly appreciated.
