production, and this fact is the major reason for the decrease in tropical forests.

## (4) Socioeconomic Activities and Water Resources

Water resources have a close relationship with environmental, economic, and social issues. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), global water intake is surging on the heels of a world population increase, and is expected to go up by 32% by 2025 compared to 2000 levels (Figure 1-3-16). Water is absolutely critical for food production; however, severe water shortages are a concern in many areas around the world due to an increased demand for feed crops in recent years. Water pollutants derived from socioeconomic activities cause offensive odors and hygiene-related environmental issues; moreover, they cause eutrophication in closed water areas and damage to existing ecosystems. More frequent droughts and floods brought about by climate change are also significant issues.

Water resources are absolutely imperative to human life. However, water is unevenly distributed around the globe: 95% in the ocean, 2% in the form of glacier ice, and only 1% in the form of fresh water. Therefore, access to freshwater resources is a key point. The amount of per-capita freshwater resources suggests that people living in areas like Africa are presented with extremely severe conditions in terms of accessing water. Another critical point in terms of water issues is securing appropriate sanitation once water has been used. Figure 1-3-17 shows that sewage water disposal conditions in African countries, India, and other countries are particularly inadequate.

Looking at the global situation, water issues in urban areas are also severe. Although water leakage problems (loss of water carried from a water intake point) are insignificant in Japan, they are recognized as causing major problems in other countries (Table 1-3-1). For example, 35% or more

Figure 1-3-16 Population and Quantity of Water Intake Worldwide

Source: Ministry of the Environment based on the UN World Population Prospectus/UNESCO World Water Resources and their Use

Figure 1-3-17 Access to Safe Water and Installation Status of Sanitary Facilities Worldwide

Percentage of population with access to safe drinking water (2010)

Source: Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation (UNICEF)

Percentage of population with access to sanitary facilities (including vault toilet)

Source: Ministry of the Environment based on the Study Group on Water Resources Security Final Report 2008 and the Bureau of Waterworks Tokyo Metropolitan Government website

of Mexico City water leaks in the process of supply. This means that if the city were able to manage its water supply on a level equivalent to Japan's, it could save about 30% of its water resources per water intake point.

As described above, it is thought that more and more business opportunities will be created in the water sector, which is anticipated to grow 2.4-fold between 2007 and 2025 (Figure 1-3-18). Furthermore, Japan’s sophisticated water management technology and systems have the potential to contribute to other countries around the world.

Figure 1-3-18 Water Business Market Size by Region (Left) and Growth Ratio (Right)

Note: Exchange rate: USD1.00/JPY100 yen

Growth rate: 2025 market size growth rate in comparison with 2007 performance

Source: Ministry of the Environment Water Business International Rollout Research Group

## Column

## The Goddess in the Toilet

There is a well-known song by Japanese singer-songwriter Kana Uemura entitled "Goddess in the Toilet." Its phrasing and melody are impressive, and describe a beautiful goddess is living in the toilet that will allow you to blossom into a beautiful woman if you clean the bathroom every day.

When a flush toilet clogs, you cannot flush it until it is fixed. Typically, there is nothing in a home that can replace the function of a toilet, and it is one of the most familiar and important pieces of equipment in your daily life.

In Japan, the appropriate disposal of human waste has been extended to every corner of society. Today, sanitary standards are so high that most people are not even aware of the potential inconvenience that human waste disposal could pose to their daily lives. However, even with our everyday encounters with the "Goddess in the Toilet," we may come to realize its value and presence too late if we wait until it is lost.

The Great East Japan Earthquake badly damaged sewage treatment facilities, causing catastrophic damage to human waste disposal systems in the affected areas. In Iwate Prefecture, the local administration collected human waste with the help of industry associations to put a collection system in place immediately after the disaster. In Miyagi Prefecture, damaged local operators received a gift of trucks from an industry association, while an industry association in Yamagata Prefecture lent its support by dispatching trucks to Miyagi Prefecture to collect human waste. Today, collected human waste is being disposed of in widespread areas, supported by treatment facilities in Miyagi Prefecture and by the Yamagata prefectural government.