The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

About the New Basic Plan on Water Cycle
The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water Cycle
Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat
June 2020

Water Cycle logo

The Secretariat of the Headquarters for Water Cycle PolicyOverview of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

Basic Plan on Water Cycle
A basic plan on the water cycle, established by the Japanese government pursuant to the Basic Act on the Water Cycle.
As of July 2020, five years have passed since the previous Basic Plan on Water Cycle was decided on by the Cabinet in July 2015.
The Basic Act on the Water Cycle calls for the Basic Plan on Water Cycle to be reviewed and, as necessary, modified roughly every five years.
Basic Act on the Water Cycle (excerpts) [Enacted July 1, 2014]

Article 13: The government must formulate a basic plan on the water cycle (“Basic Plan on Water Cycle” hereinafter) to promote measures related to the water cycle in
a comprehensive and systematic manner.
Article 13. 5: The government shall review and, as necessary, revise the Basic Plan on Water Cycle roughly every five years, based on consideration of changes in
conditions related to the water cycle and assessment of the results of measures related to the water cycle.
Basic Act on the Water Cycle(Promulgated April 2, 2014; enacted July 1, 2014)

Basic Plan on the Water Cycle (July 2015 Headquarters*/Cabinet decision)•••

Assessment (review) of the results of water cycle measures
Multifaceted collection of opinions from experts, local public agencies, etc.
Public comment on the (draft) new Basic Plan on Water Cycle

New Basic Plan on Water Cycle(July 2020 Headquarters*/Cabinet decision)
Reviewed roughly every five years* Headquarters for Water-Cycle Policy Directed by the Prime Minister, with the Chief Cabinet Secretary andthe Minister Responsible for Water-Cycle Policy serving as Deputy Directors and all other ministers of state
aside from the Director and the Deputy Directors serving as the members of the headquarters

Basic thinking on review of the Basic Plan on Water Cycle

A new water strategy for the Reiwa* Period *the current Japanese era nameNationwide deployment and quality improvement of river basin management to promote maintenance and recovery of a soundwater cycle, by formulating river basin water cycle plans through cooperation and coordination among various actors in river
basins
Accelerating measures toward realization of a safe and secure society capable of responding to risks such as those of climatechange, in response to factors such as the increasing risks of water-related disasters, which could become more frequent andsevere due to the impacts of climate change and other factors
Passing along a sound water cycle to future generations through strategic efforts in the areas of raising awareness, publicity,
education, and human-resources development, through an industry-academy-government-resident alliance.
Japan taking a leading role in solutions to global water-related challenges, by utilizing its experiences, lessons, and outstanding
technologies and expertise in the water field

Three main priorities of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle
i. Water-cycle innovation through river basin management －Further deployment of river basin management and improvements in its quality ―ii. Realization of a safe and secure society through sound water cycle initiatives ― Responding to risks of climate change, large-scale natural disasters, etc. ―iii. Passing on an abundant society to future generations through a sound water cycle ― Awareness raising, publicity, education, and international contributions regarding a sound water cycle ―1Structure of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

Introduction
1 Our relationship to the water cycle
2 Positioning of this Plan and its subject period
3 Ideal vision of the water cycle
4 Current conditions of the water cycle and related topics
5 Main details of priority initiatives under this Plan
(1) Water-cycle innovation through river basin management－ Further deployment of river basin management and improvements in its quality －(2) Realization of a safe and secure society through sound water cycle initiatives－ Responding to risks of climate change, large-scale natural disasters, etc. ―(3) Passing on an abundant society to future generations through a sound water cycle－Awareness raising, publicity, education, and international contributions regarding asound water cycle ―6 Structure of this Plan

Part 1. Basic policies on measures related to the water cycle
1 Comprehensive and integrated river basin management
2 Proactively promoting initiatives to maintain or recover a sound water cycle
3 Ensuring proper use of water and enjoyment of its benefits
4 Maintaining a sound water cycle in use of water
5 Promoting water-cycle-related initiatives through international cooperation

Part 2. Water-cycle-related measures to be taken comprehensively
and systematically by the Japanese government
1 Promoting cooperation across river basins etc. － Framework of comprehensive and2 Maintenance and improvement of storage and recharge functions(1) Forests and woods (2) Rivers etc. (3) Farmland (4) Urban areas
3 Promoting appropriate and effective water use etc.
(1) Securing stable water supplies and drainage etc.
(2) Responding to disasters(3) Securing and promoting use of groundwater sustainably(4) Strategic maintenance, management, and updating of water infrastructure(5) Efficient and effective use of water(6) Water environment(7) Water cycle and ecosystems(8) Waterside spaces preservation, rehabilitation, and creation(9) Passing along, rehabilitation, and creation of water culture(10) Responding to global warming
4 Promoting education concerning a sound water cycle etc.
(1) Promoting education on the water cycle(2) Promoting awareness raising activities related to water cycle
5 Measures to promote autonomous activities by private organizations and others
6 Conducting research necessary to formulate and implement water cycle policies(1) Survey of current conditions of river basin water cycle(2) Survey of the impacts of climate change on the water cycle and adaptation thereto
7 Promotion of science and technology
8 Securing continued international collaboration and promoting international cooperation(1) International collaboration (2) International cooperation(3) Overseas deployment of water businesses
9 Water-cycle-related human-resources development(1) Human-resource development and international interpersonal exchange throughindustry-academy-government-resident alliances

integrated river basin management －(1) Scope of river basin(2) Thinking on comprehensive and integrated river basin management(3) Establishment of a river basin water cycle council and formulation of a river basinwater cycle plan(4) Content of the river basin water cycle plan
(5) Formulation process and evaluation of the river basin water cycle plan
(6) Formulation/promotion measures of the river basin water cycle plan

Part 3. What is needed to promote water-cycle-related measurescomprehensively and systematically
1 Effective implementation of water-cycle-related measures
2 Duties of related parties and mutual collaboration and cooperation
3 Publication of measures implemented in connection with the water cycle2Three main priorities of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle (i)1.

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

Water-cycle innovation through river basin management－ Further deployment of river basin management and improvements in its quality ―[Current state]• Through now, efforts have focused on promotion of river basin
management, with 44 river basin water cycle plans announced
nationwide.
• From now on, it will be necessary to further improve the quality of river
basin management in order to maintain and recover a sound water
cycle, together with broadening the base of planning organizations.
1. Promoting cooperation across river basins etc.
5. Measures to promote autonomous activities by private organizations and others
6. Conducting research necessary to formulate and implement water cycle policies
7. Promotion of science and technology[Examples of initiatives in the new plan]• Further deployment Supporting river basin planning and promotion nationwide
through measures such as dispatch of water cycle advisors and collecting together
compilations of case studies on related expertise (e.g., a compilation of cooperation
structures among diverse actors and a compilation of measures to secure funding for
related activities), to serve as keys for successful river basin management• Quality improvements Making the actual conditions of the water cycle and theresults of measures conducted through river basin management visible, throughmeans such as establishing simple methods for assessing the soundness of the water
cycle and developing technologies for analysis of the water cycle, including
groundwaterRiver basin water cycle plans formulated through now (44 plans in total)

Overview of preparation of case studies on expertise (compilation of cooperation structures among diverse actors)[Subject fields in the new Basic Plan]

Data) Secretariat of the Headquarters for Water-Cycle Policy, Cabinet Secretariat

Data) Secretariat of the Headquarters for Water-Cycle Policy, Cabinet Secretariat3

Three main priorities of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle (ii)

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

2. Realization of a safe and secure society through sound water cycle initiatives
ー Responding to risks of climate change, large-scale natural disasters, etc.ー[Current state]• There are concerns about risks such as those of water disasters anddroughts due to global warming and other effects of climate change.
• To build resilient infrastructure, communities, and economies resistant
to disaster, it is necessary to prevent and minimize damage to people
and property, and to key water infrastructure, even in the event of alarge-scale natural disaster.
[Subject fields in the new Basic Plan]
2. Maintenance and improvement of storage and recharge
functions3.(1).a. Responding to critical droughts
3.(2) Responding to disasters
3.(3) Securing and promoting use of groundwater sustainably
3.(4) Strategic maintenance, management, and updating of water
infrastructure
3.(5) Efficient and effective use of water3.(10) Responding to global warming

Damage by Typhoon Hagibis in east Japan, 2019 (Chikuma River)
Data) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism[Examples of initiatives in the new plan]• Responding to large-scale natural disasters To prevent and minimize damage due tolarge-scale water disasters, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, measures will be
implemented to prevent and mitigate disasters affecting key water infrastructure (e.g.,rivers, waterworks/sewer systems, and irrigation facilities) and to strengthen national
resilience, in terms of both tangibles and intangibles together.
• Responding to critical droughts In anticipation of critical droughts due to climatechange, in addition to research on drought risk assessment, drought adaptation
measures will be promoted, such as securing of stable water supplies based on risk
management and preparation of drought timelines.
• Strategic maintenance, management, and updating of water infrastructure
Strategic maintenance, management, and updating will be promoted for aged water
infrastructures, to extend their lifespan and update and seismic retrofit infrastructure
appropriately.
• Maintenance, improvement, etc. of water storage and recharge functions Together
with promoting comprehensive initiatives such as green-infrastructure improvements inareas including forests, rivers, farmland, and urban areas, measures will be promoted topreserve and use groundwater sustainably.

Lifespan extension through renovation (sewer system)
Data) Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Flooded rice fields (Ono, Fukui Prefecture)Data) Ono City

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Three main priorities of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle (iii)

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

3. Passing on an abundant society to future generations through a sound water cycle
ー Awareness raising, publicity, education, and international contributions regarding a sound water cycle ー[Current state]• To pass along a sound water cycle to future generations, it is necessary tofoster awareness concerning water, through creating opportunities forhands-on learning about water.
• In addition, to deploy internationally Japan's outstanding experience,
knowledge, and technologies related to the water cycle, global
contributions must be made through international cooperation as well as
promoting cooperation with various governments, international agencies,
and other partners.

[Examples of initiatives in the new plan]• Awareness raising, publicity, education Supporting awareness raising, publicity,
education, and human-resources development related to a sound water cycle, andfostering water awareness among the public, from young to old, through raisingawareness of Water Day (August 1) and communicating information on water-cycle
initiatives, through public-private partnership.
• International contributions Through international communication and application ofJapan's experiences, knowledge, and technologies via international conferences suchas the Asia-Pacific Water Summit and infrastructure development overseas, Japan willtake leadership on solutions to global water challenges and achievement of the6
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[Subject fields in the new Basic Plan]
4. Promoting education concerning a sound water cycle etc.
3.(6) Water environment
8. Securing continued international collaboration and3.(7) Water cycle and ecosystems
3.(8) Waterside spaces preservation, rehabilitation, and creation promoting international cooperation
3.(9) Passing along, rehabilitation, and creation of water culture 9. Water-cycle-related human-resources development2019 Water Day poster
Data) Secretariat of the Headquarters for Water-Cycle Policy, Cabinet Secretariat

Water-tasting event (Gunma Water Fair)
Data) Gunma PrefectureHigh-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP)
Data) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

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References

Key points of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle (i)Part 2. Water-cycle-related measures to be taken comprehensively
and systematically by the Japanese government

Introduction
1 Our relationship to the water cycle
2 Positioning of this Plan and its subject period
3 Ideal vision of the water cycle
4 Current conditions of the water cycle and related topics
5 Main details of priority initiatives under this Plan

(Related to Article 13, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 2 of the Act)

[Nine Fields Targeted by Measures]
Promoting cooperation across river basins etc. / Maintenance and improvement of storage andrecharge functions / Promoting appropriate and effective water use etc. / Promoting education
concerning a sound water cycle etc. / Measures to promote autonomous activities by privateorganizations and others / Conducting research necessary to formulate and implement water cycle
policies / Promotion of science and technology / Securing continued international collaboration andpromoting international cooperation / Water-cycle-related human-resources development(1) Water-cycle innovation through river basin management－ Further deployment of river basin management and improvements in its quality ―Further deployment: Supporting the formulation of river basin water cycle plans nationwide
Quality improvements: Making the soundness of the water cycle and the results of river basin
management measures visible(2) Realization of a safe and secure society through sound water cycle initiatives－ Responding to risks of climate change, large-scale natural disasters, etc. －Responding to large-scale natural disasters: Enhancing disaster prevention/mitigation and national
resilience measures
Responding to critical droughts: Promoting adaptation measures for critical droughts due to climatechangeStrategic maintenance, management, and updating of water infrastructure
Maintaining and improving storage and recharge functions, and sustainable preservation and use ofgroundwater(3) Passing on an abundant society to future generations through a sound water cycle－ Awareness raising, publicity, education, and international contributions regarding a soundwater cycle －1

Promoting cooperation across river basins etc.

(Related to Article 16 of the Act)

－Framework of comprehensive and integrated river basin management －•••Awareness raising, publicity, education: Fostering an understanding and awareness of the water cycle
among members of the public of all generations
International contributions: Japan taking leadership on contributing to solutions to global water
challenges and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As comprehensive and integrated river basin management, implementing river basin managementin which various related actors in the river basin act in collaboration to maintain or improve soundand good conditions with regard to people's livelihoods, water volume, water quality, andnatural environment engaged with water, in forests and woods, rivers, farmland, urban areas, lakes
and marshes, coastal areas, etc.
The river basin water cycle council shares various types of information concerning the water cycleand formulates river basin water cycle plans.
The national government provides support through means including preparation and updating ofguides and compiled case studies; enhancement of support liaisons; establishment of evaluation
indicators and methods to make visible matters such as the soundness of the water cycle and theresults of river-basin management methods; holding training and seminars; providing support asnecessary in areas such as raising awareness and publicity activities; and dispatching water cycle
advisors
etc.

2 Maintenance and improvement of storage and recharge functions

6 Structure of this Plan

(Related to Article 14 of the Act)Part 1. Basic policies on measures related to the water cycle(Related to Article 13, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 1 of the Basic Act on the Water Cycle ["Act" hereinafter])

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

Comprehensive and integrated river basin management (Related to Article 3, Paragraph 4 of the Act)
Proactively promoting initiatives to maintain or recover a sound water cycle(Related to Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Act)
Ensuring proper use of water and enjoyment of its benefits(Related to Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Act)
Maintaining a sound water cycle in use of water(Related to Article 3, Paragraph 3 of the Act)
Promoting water-cycle-related initiatives through international cooperation(Related to Article 3, Paragraph 4 of the Act)

•
•
•
•
•

Promoting throughout the river basin initiatives to maintain and improve storage and recharge
functions, such as green infrastructure improvement
Promoting planned and systematic forest improvement and preservation initiatives based on theForest Planning System
Promoting comprehensive river improvement measures to respond to increasingly frequent andsevere water disasters in recent years in addition to expanding flows of water to rivers during floods
Promoting measures to secure farmland and appropriate management and improvement ofdrainage canal networks for agriculture
Promoting preserving and creating green areas etc., and greening of private and public facilities,
6with the participation of diverse actors
etc.

References

Key points of the new Basic Plan on Water Cycle (ii)3. Promoting appropriate and effective water use etc. (Related to Article 15 of the Act)
•
•
•
•

•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Promoting comprehensive water quality management including risk assessment,
management, etc. from water sources through taps
Preparing drought timelines through cooperation among related parties, to promote initiatives
to address critical droughts
Further promotion of disaster prevention and mitigation measures through appropriate
combination of tangibles and intangibles to realize national resilience
Considering initiatives through cooperation among not only national and local public agencies
but also enterprises and residents, in areas such as conversion to river improvement plansthat take into account the impacts of climate change and promotion of disaster prevention
and mitigation measures focusing on the entire river basin
Promoting improvements to the seismic and waterproof performance of water infrastructure,
installation of private power generation equipment, etc.
Promotion by the national government of development of a shared groundwater database;ascertaining of groundwater intake and output, behavior related to groundwater volume andquality, and ground deformation; development of related survey and analysis technologies;
etc.
Implementation by national and local public agencies and others of strategic maintenance,
management, and updating (countermeasures against aging) of facilities
Promoting use of rainwater and systematic utilization of recycled water
Enhancement of water quality preservation measures for lakes and marshes, closed coastalseas, etc.
Preservation and recovery of water-cycle-related ecosystem
Preservation, rehabilitation, and creation of waterside spaces in urban and rural areas andalong rivers
Transmission, rehabilitation, and creation of water culture in water source areas etc.
Promoting adaptation and mitigation measures for the impacts of climate change on thewater cycleetc.

4 Promoting education concerning a sound water cycle etc.

(Related to Article 17 of the Act)•••

Preparing and updating teaching materials and supplementary teaching materials concerning
the water cycle, as educational tools
Promoting projects suited to the aims of Water Day (August 1) and Water Week (August 1-7),
so that citizens of all ages can more deeply understand and take an interest in the importanceof a sound water cycle
Communicating information through means such as multilingual informational activities andinternational conferences, to raise awareness broadly around the worldetc.

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

5 Measures to promote autonomous activities by private organizations(Related to Article 18 of the Act)and others••

Promoting activities to carry out continual advancement of water reservoir areas
Communicating information in the green-infrastructure public-private partnership platform etc.

6 Conducting research necessary to formulate and implement water cycle(Related to Article 19 of the Act)
policies••

Continual collection and organization of information concerning groundwater, including
groundwater basin structures, actual conditions of use of groundwater, groundwater levels,
groundwater quality, groundwater temperatures, and other matters, by national and prefecture
governments (and municipal governments as necessary)
Surveying and analyzing the impacts of climate change on the water cycleetc.

7 Promotion of science and technology•••(Related to Article 20 of the Act)

Promoting research concerning the evaluation methods of the water cycle soundness
Implementing research and development on "emergency groundwater use systems"
Promoting efforts in areas such as development of a global environmental information platform,
advancement of technologies for forecasting climate change, and organizing of data forassessing future impacts on water resourcesetc.

8 Securing continued international collaboration and promoting(Related to Article 21 of the Act)
international cooperation••

Through international collaboration and international cooperation in international conferences
and other opportunities, putting to use Japan's experiences and knowledge to contribute tosolutions to global water challenges and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)
Promoting overseas deployment of Japan's outstanding state-of-the-art water technologies andrelated systems etc., through public-private partnershipetc.

9 Water-cycle-related human-resources development•

Promoting the securing and development of specialized and general human resources throughtraining, seminars, etc.
etc.

Part 3. What is needed to promote water-cycle-related measures(Related to Article 13, Paragraph 2,comprehensively and systematically
Subparagraph 3 of the Act)
1 Effective implementation of water-cycle-related measures
2 Duties of related parties and mutual collaboration and cooperation
3 Publication of measures implemented in connection with the water cycle

7References

The form of the water cycle ー A sound water cycle ー

The secretariat of the Headquarters for Water
Cycle Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat

Water cycle: The cycle of water through the process of evaporation, precipitation, flowing, or filtration until reaching the sea or elsewhere, centered onwater in river basins in the forms of surface water or ground water

A sound water cycle: A water cycle in which the functions of water, in human activities and environmental preservation, are maintained appropriately

The form of a sound water cycle

かんData) Secretariat of the Headquarters for
Water-Cycle Policy, Cabinet Secretariat

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