Regional Report
Regional Process
Commission
Region: Asia-Pacific
ANNEX
Northeast Asia Sub-Region

Coordinator: Asia-Pacific Water Forum

Pre-forum version
March 2018

As i a -P a ci fic W a t er F o r u m
8 th W ORL D W ATER FORUM | BRASÍ L I A -BRASI L , MARC H 1 8 -2 3 , 2 0 1 8
www.worldwaterforum8.org | secretariat@worldwaterforum8.org| office@apwf.org

Asia-Pacific Regional Report
Regional Process Commission
Asia Pacific Water ForumNortheast Asia Sub-Region
Sub Regional Coordintor: Korea Water Forum
China Focal Point: GWP China, Japan Focal Point: Japan Water Forum

1. Overview of Northeast Asian Water Resources
The Northeast Asia sub-region covers a vast territory, with a total land area of
11,764,596 km2. It borders on the Pacific Ocean, and with a total coastal line of 86,199
km and more than 22,000 islands. It is comprised of five countries, including People’s
Republic of China, Mongolia, Japan, Republic of Korea and Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea (UNEP 2008). The seas of the sub-region comprise the Yellow Sea,
the East China Sea, and the East Sea which is also referred to as the Sea of Japan (Jung
2016).
The total available fresh water resources of the sub-region is 3,351 km3 excluding
D.P.R Korea. The water availability per capita is 2,221 m3 which is only about 27.7 percent of the word’s average. UNEP (2008) report noted that the sub-region is water
scarce, in terms of both total and per capita water resources. According to the
iso-precipitation lines, about 54 per cent of the area in this sub-region is in the humid
and semi-humid category while the other 46 per cent is semi-arid and arid zones.
Thanks to the global agenda such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), accessto the safe drinking water supply has been improved rapidly in recent years since 1990.
However, due to over-irrigation and expanded lank reclamation, lake ecosystems inthe sub-region have experienced heavy pressures over the past decades causing
decrease in water surface. Furthermore, water quality deterioration is another crucial
issue in Northeast Asian region. Overall, the freshwater resources of the Northeast
Asia sub-region exhibits a complex influence of geographic and topographic featuresand climates characterized as rivers flowing over long distances, large river basins,
many water falls, high density of international rivers and large differences among theriparian countries (UNEP 2008).
In this paper, Northeast Asia is defined as the geographical sphere including three
countries. Those three countries are China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The table
1 shows the basic indicators of the three nations.

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Table 1. Status of Northeast Asian Countries.
Land Area(km2)(2017) 1

Total
Population(2016) 2

GDP
(US$)
20163

Per
CapitaGDP4(US$)

Annualprecipitation(mm)(2014) 5

China

9,388,211

Japan

364,560

Republic of
Korea

97,480

1,379
Million126.99million
512,46
Million

11,158billion4,384
billion
1,378
billion

8.59
534 (Beijing)
thousand 1157 (Shanghai)
38.55
1,688
thousand
29.73
1,274
thousandInternal
Renewable
Freshwater
Resources (km3
per inhabitant)
20146
1,999
3,394
1,289

2. Water Security in Northeast Asia
According to the definition proposed by UN-Water, “The capacity of a population tosafeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water forsustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for
ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, andfor preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability.” (UN-Water).
In spite of major remaining challenges such as overexploited groundwater, demand
from rising populations and climate variability, according to a new report from the
Asian Development Bank (ADB) published in 2016, water security in Asia overall has
progressed in the past five years. A total of 38 out of 49 economies in Asia and pacificwere found to be water insecure with a National Water Security Index of 2 or lessbased on a data of 2013. However, this has improved to 29 out of 48 economies being
categorized water insecure in 2016.
East Asia shows a promising score of 61.9 in National Water Security Index whileadvanced economies where Japan and Republic of Korea are included show thehighest NWS index score of all continents which is 80.5. National Water Security Index
includes scores from the five key dimensions measuring water security of all nations;Household water security, economic water security, urban water security,environmental water security and resilience to water-related disaster. (See the Figure
1) Advanced Economies where Republic of Korea and Japan included marks the highest
score.
1

World Bank Databank https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.TOTL.K2
Ibid. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=Z4-CN&view=chart&year_high_desc=false
3
World Economic Outlook (2017) IMF data mapper
http://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPD@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD
4 Ibid. http://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD
5 World Bank Databank https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.PRCP.MM
6 Asian Development Bank(ADB), Key indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2017 48th edition, Downloadable at www.adb.org/ki-2017
2

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Figure 1. National Water Security Index Score

Source: Asian Water Development Outlook 2016 (ADB)

The table 2 compares the National Water Security index of People’s Republic of China,
Japan and Republic of Korea in 2013 and 2016. As shown from the table, the threenations equally show progress in the National Water Security Index from 2013 to 2016.
Table 2. Comparison of National Water Security Index for Three Nations
Country
2013 (1-100)
2016 (1-100)
China, People’s Republic of

44.3

61.8

Japan

74.6

80.7

Korea, Republic of

57.8

74.4

Source: ADB AWDO (2016)

The next chapter will shed light on the three nations’ case studies as the practicalsolutions to the complex local water challenges, which will eventually contribute toenhancement of water security of the North-east Asia regional water security.
Following are the efforts from regional actors representing the solutions being realized
in the cases of recovery of ecosystems, creation of efficient and sound water cycle,
practical responses to climate change including degradation of water quantity andquality.

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3. Case Studies (China, Japan and Korea)
Case Studies (Case Study 1: China)Theme Title: Ecosystems
Topic Title: IWRM for ecosystem restoration

Significance of Case
Heihe River, the second largest inland river in China, flows through the arid
northwestern China and ends in the Ejina region. Due to limited rainfall and increasingwater demand in the basin, the downstream flow declined rapidly in the late 20
century, and the river dried out before reaching the terminal lake (Juyan Lake). The
Heihe River Authority was established in 2000 to carry out basin-wide integrated water
resources management, and its work has proved to be successful in restoring theecosystem of downstream regions against desertification.
Intended Outcomes and Methodology
In order to conserve water and increase downstream flow, the Heihe River Authority
made basin management plans and implemented a series of measures. For the
headwater and upstream areas, the overgrazed grasslands were fenced for recovery
and forests were protected to reduce erosion. For the middle reaches, significant
efforts have been made in agricultural sector to improve irrigation efficiency. In
populated regions, water-saving strategies were promoted and infrastructures were
upgraded. Water diversions from the mainstream were restricted and withdrawals
were limited. Most importantly, the Heihe River Authority strategically set schedules
for water dispatching, for example concentrating the discharge in spring, allowing as
much as water to reach downstream regions and provide water for vegetation growth.
The dispatching plans were made based on analyses of water supply and demand in
the basin and adjusted in time based on monitoring data. In addition, the Heihe River
Authority explored to integrate the basin management (i.e. basin organization) withthe administrative management (i.e. local government), clearly defined the
responsibilities of each party and established coordination systems.
Progress of the Case (Benefits, Challenge, Opportunity)
The integrated approach was proved to be successful in Heihe River Basin. After morethan ten years of implementation, the annual discharge entering downstream has
increased by 241 million cubic meters and the annual discharge entering the Ejina has
increased by 188 million cubic meters. The flow time has been extended by 120 days
and the situation of no flow in downstream has been ameliorated. The severe
ecosystem degradation in Ejina region has been restrained and the signaturevegetation (Populus) has recovered. The Heihe river now feeds into the East Juyanhai(which was dried up), fosters aquatic ecosystems and boosts biodiversity. Most
ecological functions have been restored in Ejina after two decades of management, yet
it still requires careful planning and strict implementation to overcome upcoming

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Asia Pacific Water Forumchallenges due to population growth and climate change. Besides, the improvementsof ecological environments in Heihe River Basin also help to reduce the sandstorms innorthern China.
Implication
This case provides a new model for integrated inland river basin management.
Managing a river in the arid region needs an integrated approach, because thecontradiction between increasing water demand and limited supply could lead to asignificant decline in downstream flow that degrades ecosystems . With strategicallyplanning of water dispatching and effective implementation through the coordination
system, not only the environmental flow of the river could be maintained, but also theavailability of water for ecosystems could be improved and desertificated region could
regain vitality.
Useful Resources
GWP ToolBox Case Study
http://www.gwp.org/en/GWP-China/about-gwp-china/news-list/News-Flow/Water-Re
sources-Regulation-in-Heihe-River-Basin-/

Theme Title: Water Cycle
Topic Title: Creation and Restoration of Sound Water Cycle for Sustainable
Development

Case Studies (Case Study 2: Japan)
Significance of Case
Water, in the process of the water cycle, fosters the people’s life and plays animportant role in the industrial and cultural development. However, various factors
such as rapid urbanization, changes in industrial structure, climate change etc. givenegative impacts on the water cycle and cause water problems such as droughts,
floods, water pollution and deterioration of the ecosystem, which is a serious threat tothe sustainable development.
Considering the above situation, a new legislative framework has been established tomake circumstances that the concerned parties cooperatively deal with water-related
problem in an integrated manner, aiming to keep and restore a sound water cycle.

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Intended Outcomes and Methodology“Basic Act on Water Cycle” was enacted, with the purpose of promoting
comprehensive and integrated measures to establish and maintain a sound water
cycle.
The Act has the five basic principles of "importance of the water cycle", "public natureof water", "consideration for sound water cycles", "comprehensive river basin
management", and "international cooperation on water cycles”.
According to the Act, the government should prepare a "Basic Plan on Water Cycle"
and ,on the basis of the Basic Plan, should take nine measures of “River Basin
Cooperation”, “Maintenance and improvement of Water Retention/Recharge
Function”, “Adequate and Effective Water Use”, “Education of Sound Water Cycles”,“Voluntary Activities by Private Entities”, “Research for Developing and Implementing
Water Cycle Measures”, “Promotion of Science and Technology”, “International
Partnerships and Cooperation”, and “Human Resource Development in Water Cycles”
in an integrated and systematic way.
In addition, the "Basic Plan for Water Cycle" has two key points as followings;✓ “Comprehensive River Basin Water Cycle Plan” drawn by a “River Basin Water
Cycle Council” consisting of the central and local government, business entities,
organizations, and local residents etc.
✓ “Groundwater management” by all kinds of stakeholders through the“Groundwater Council” consisting of the central and local government,
groundwater users and other related parties.
Progress of the Case (Benefits, Challenge, Opportunity)"Basic Plan on Water Cycle” enables the local stakeholders and the relatedorganizations to share common goals and issues and work together to solve them.
Example 1: Groundwater Management
Local stakeholders and related parties determined on cross -sectional measures(Sharing of basic data, Monitoring of the groundwater condition, Upper limit of volumeof groundwater extraction, and Guideline for balanced utilization and conservation ofgroundwater) through due consultation with each other, which made groundwater
conservation and sustainable groundwater utilization possible.
Example 2: Conservation and Recovery of water environment
Stakeholders in the basin set a common goal and vision and formulated a water quality
improvement plan that decided clearly roles and responsibility of each stakeholder.

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Example 3: Promotion of Education / Raising Public Awareness
Active efforts by Citizens, and joint efforts of the public and private sectors(Water
conservation activities at schools, Events related to “Water day (1st of August)” and“UN Water day (22nd March)”, river beautification activity etc.) have been
implemented.
Example 4: Prompt and Smooth Response to Severe Droughts
The measures to minimize the effect on daily life and economy (such as early
restriction on water intake, flexible water use between related parties, emergency
water supply etc.) will be considered in advance (at normal times) by local relatedparties and water users.
Implication
This case provides a new model for sustainable water utilization by associating artificial
water use with natural water cycle.
This effort is expected to promote comprehensively and efficiently participation ofmulti-stakeholders, partnership beyond sectionalism, nature-based approach, water
recycling, integrated surface and groundwater management, because this newlegislative system creates coordination platform “river basin water cycle council”
where all stakeholder make consensus, and because it requires to make acomprehensive water cycle plan which enables the stakeholders to mutually cooperate
in a flexible manner to implement each measure according to the common vision.
Useful Resources
http://www.narbo.jp/data/01_events/materials_6thgm/1_00.%20Key%20Note_Mr.%20Mizuk
usa_MLIT%20JAPAN.pdf
http://www.mlit.go.jp/tochimizushigen/mizsei/water_resources/contents/responding_properl
y.htmlCase Studies (Case Study 3: Japan)
Theme Title: Climate
Topic Title: Managing risk and uncertainty for resilience and disaster prep
aredness

Significance of Case
Most of Japan’s land area is mountainous. A half of the total population and 75% of
the total physical assets are concentrated in flood-prone areas. Japan’s rivers are also
steep and short. Located in the Asian monsoon belt, Japan has suffered from many
severe water-related disasters. Learning from past experiences, it has enhanced theircapacity to prevent and response to such disasters.

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Asia-Pacific Regional Report
Regional Process Commission
Asia Pacific Water ForumAs the disaster risks, however, from climate change and mega-earthquakes increase,
low-probability, high-impact extreme events poses a great challenge.
Intended Outcomes and Methodology
Water-related disaster management in Japan, which deploys a combination of
structural and non-structural measures at all stages of its management, has beendeveloped with the principle of preventing the recurrence of disasters and leaving amore disaster-resilient nation to posterity, learning lessons from repeated experiencesof disasters. In particular, it has been focused on well-planned implementation of
preventive measures at the pre-disaster phase for water-related disaster risk
reduction.
Progress of the Case (Benefits, Challenge, Opportunity)
On 11 March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean off thecoast of Tohoku, causing a giant devastating tsunami that greatly exceeded the design
capacity of the defense structures. The tsunami left about 20,000 people dead or
missing and caused the total collapse of about 130,000 buildings. The economic losses
amounted to 16.9 trillion yen.
Learning from those lessons, understanding the importance of the ‘assumption of
hazards of any possible magnitude’, a new law, The Act on Regional Development for
Tsunami Disaster Prevention has been enacted. This law promotes tsunami
countermeasures of ‘multilayered protection’ that flexibly apply structural andnon-structural measures depending on the probability and scales of tsunamis with aperspective on the comprehensive regional development. The law also authorizes
prefectural governors to determine and announce the possible extent of tsunami
inundation. Using these projections, municipalities can develop regional development
plans for tsunami disaster prevention. Currently, tsunami inundations assumptions are
set in 70% of total prefectures and municipalities have developed their plans (as of
Nov. 2017).
Implication
The experience of Japan shows that disaster prevention is important to lay thefoundations of economic growth and its social stability and protect the fruits ofdevelopment. Addressing low-probability, high-impact extreme events requires anintegrated strategy, combining structural and nonstructural measures appropriately.
Japan’s example also presents good case of transforming a disaster into an opportunity
to build a more disaster-resilient region with greater reduction of disaster risks.
Useful Resources
Tachi, K. (2015). Lessons learned from mega-disasters and future policy developmenton water-related disaster management in Japan. Water Policy 17 (2015) 25–40.

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Case Studies (Case Study 4: Japan)
Theme Title: Ecosystems
Topic Title: Ensuring water quality from ridge to reef

Significance of Case
Human activities and water use in the upper basin have a great impact on both water
quality and quantity in the lower basin. The experience of Shiga Prefecture shows agood practice of how to implement the polluter pays principle on the ground.
Intended Outcomes and Methodology
Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, and one of the world ancient lakes. Its values
range widely, as rich nature environment, as water source, as water industry site. Now,
it supports the daily living water for 14.5 million people, and the industrial water in
Kinki District.
Every stakeholder such as residents, local governments and private companies in Shiga
Prefecture play a key role to improve water quality of Lake Biwa, which is located in
the most upper region of the basin.
Progress of the Case (Benefits, Challenge, Opportunity)
In the late 1960s, the high-growth era, pollutant load increased in Lake Biwa becauseof population growth and increasing number of factories. And the deterioration of thewater quality became serious problem. Meanwhile, in May 1977, large outbreak of the
red-brown plankton which gave off offensive odor in Lake Biwa occurred.
The one of the causes was phosphorus contained in the synthetic detergent.
Consequently the citizens started "Soap Movement" to stop using phosphorus
contained detergent, and to use soap powder made of natural oil materials.
In 1978, in the momentum to use of soap powder, the citizens, mainly housewives,
formed "the Prefecture Liaison Conference” of the campaign to protect Lake Biwa by
promoting soap powder usage. This liaison conference played a key role and strongly
demanded immediate measures by the government.
It led the prefecture to enact "the Ordinance for the Prevention of Eutrophication" in
1977, which applies the effluent control of nitrogen and phosphorus over the industrial
drainage. To make factories and enterprises comply with the standards, Shiga
Prefectural Government strengthened the on-site inspections as well as instructions
and consultations for the effluent improvement and took measures to support them toequip and maintain wastewater treatment facilities technically and financially. These
measures include preparing the technical manual, organizing its briefing sessions by
the type of industry, conducting training, and providing the loan with lower rate ofinterest in long term. In addition, it has established advanced regulations andimplemented the conservation plans of Lake Biwa.

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Private companies made every effort to improve their facilities. Currently, they evenperform voluntary actions such as defining of their own criteria that are higher
standards than the regulations.
As a result, the phosphorus concentration in Lake Biwa decreased drastically and keeps
being low-level.
Meanwhile, Shiga Prefecture has been attracting the manufacturing industries. The
ratio of secondary industries in Gross Prefecture Product is the highest in Japan.
Prefecture Total Production per Citizen is placed fourth. Shiga Prefecture accomplishedthe development as one of Japan’s outstanding “Manufacturing Prefectures.”
Implication
Residents/consumers’ voluntary and concrete actions can make a difference to thewhole society. Practical guidelines and instructions, consultations and training areuseful to implement solutions. These measures as well as economic instruments will
support regulatory frameworks. This case shows that we can achieve economic
development while also addressing environmental challenges.
Useful Resources
Water Environment Business of Shiga: Industry know-how & technology around Lake
Biwa (2017). Commerce and Industries Policies Division, Department of Commerce,
Industry, Tourism and Labor, Shiga Prefecture, Otsu, Japan

Case Studies (Case Study 5: Republic of Korea)Theme Title: Climate
Topic Title: Development of BANPOL model to estimate flow, sediment a
nd pollutant discharges from basin areas to surface water due to climatechangesSignificance of Case
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) finalized the Fifth Assessment
Report (AR5) in 2014. The most important message of the report is that warming of
the atmosphere and ocean system is unequivocal and there is a clear human influenceon the climate. IPCC also reported climate change model (GCM) simulations for AR5
with 4 different prescribed CO 2 concentrations scenarios by the year 2100. Analysis ofvulnerability and adaptability are necessary to develop counter measures forunwanted outcomes from climate change. However, these processes are highly
complicated as many sectors affect to each other in various ways. Korean scientists
gathered together to develop a comprehensive model to interconnect sectoral models

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Asia-Pacific Regional Report
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Asia Pacific Water Forumto estimate impact of climate change under different scenarios. The BANPOL (Basin
Nonpoint-Source Pollutant Load) model is being developed in the water sector toestimate effect on surface waters under various climate change scenarios.
Intended Outcomes and Methodology
The BANPOL (Basin Nonpoint-Source Pollutant Load) model is developed to predictflow rate, sediment and water quality in surface runoff during rainfall and groundwater
movement to surface water. It is desired that the BANPOL model will provide
boundary conditions to water quality model to develop counter measures for algal
blooms or toxic material in surface waters. Since Korea is highly populated and also
rapidly urbanized, no existing hydrological model only is not appropriate to accurately
predict flow and water quality. Therefore, the BANPOL model was developed by
combining modules from few different models in public domain. Hydrological moduleof the model is based on SWMM model of USEPA, sediment module is similar to SWAT
model of USDA and water quality interaction was developed considering many surface
water quality models such as QUAL2K and WASP of USEPA.
Progress of the Case (Benefits, Challenge, Opportunity)
The BANPOL model can calculate dynamic information of water quantity and quality
under different climate conditions. Therefore, this model can consider effect of forest
due to climate change by considering land use information. This model also canprovide water quantity and quality information to other sectors such as ecosystem or
agriculture. However, any model requires verification and significant amount of fielddata are necessary. Our research team operates automatic monitoring system that cancollect water quantity, quality and sediment data on a continuous base. Intensive field
campaign will be implemented during rainfall events to calibrate model.

Implication
Korea wants to be prepared for the support or management of 1) social infra
structures, 2) vulnerable class, 3) national safety, 4) conervation areas, 5) food security
and 6) water resources for any climate change cases. Under this project, health, water,
agriculture, forest, ecology and coastal teams are working together. The BANPOL
model can be used as a part of Meta model for Korea to evaluate vulnerability andadaptability for various climate change scenarios.
Useful Resources
http://motive.kei.re.kr
http://impressions-project.eu
Reference
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/asia.shtml
http://www.gwp.org/globalassets/global/toolbox/publications/technical-focus-papers/tfpchina_2015.pdf

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http://www.mwr.gov.cn/english/mainsubjects/201604/P020160406508110938538.pd
f
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/388891468216271286/China-country-w
ater-resources-partnership-strategy-2013-2020
http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/japan/japan.htm
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEAPREGTOPENVIRONMENT/Resources/WRM_J
apan_experience_EN.pdf
http://isdp.eu/content/uploads/images/stories/isdp-main-pdf/2016-jung-environment
al-challenges-cooperation-northeast-asia.pdf

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