From the Catchment to Coast in Japan – The Past, the Present, and the Future of Japanese Water Resources and Human Activities

From Catchment to Coast in Japan - The Past, the Present, and the Future of Japanese Water Resources and Human Activities is a necessary addition to the field of ecohydrology and an essential guide to the learners of Japanese catchments, estuaries, and coasts. This book’s four sections seek to address seven broad questions relating to water resource management in Japan: What water reforms have occurred in Japan over the past 100 years? What is the current condition of Japan, related to regional and rural communities, major water-related assets, and salinity and water quality? How have the water reforms to date influenced policy and management of Japan? How do Japanese traditional and modern water resources managements differ from Western countries? What challenges face Japan over the next and beyond 30 years, particularly due to climate change? What are possible policy and management responses to climate change and other future challenges facing Japan? What can be done to improve the decision-making processes in Japan, given the general lack of trust in the governments, agencies, and their current processes? What is the way ahead for policy and management reforms in Japan? What kind of new technologies are available for river management from now on? The prominent editors answer these questions while presenting a historical overview of water resource use in Japan as affected by events throughout history and management policies as well by anthropogenic factors.