will be a rise in the number of droughts, resulting from an increase in the number of days with no precipitation and the decrease in the amount of snowfall. For this reason, MLIT will promote measures to prevent/mitigate the damage caused by drought, such as strategies to minimize damage at the time of critical droughts.

## (2) Efficient use of water resources

### a. Initiatives towards expanding the utilization of recycled water derived from sewage

Stable amounts of recycled water can be secured and is a valuable water resource in urban areas. Of all the treated sewage, approximately 1.5% undergoes treatment according to purpose, and recycled water is used in streams, sustaining water levels of rivers and the sanitation of toilets. We aim to further expand the utilization of recycled water.

### b. Promoting the utilization of rain water

In order to efficiently utilize water resources, initiatives are being promoted to treat and use rainwater and waste water from facilities for sanitation of toilets and sprinklers. There are approximately 2,000 facilities utilizing treated water as of 2013, and they use over 800 million m $ ^{3} $ a year. The "Law for Promoting the Use of Rainwater (2014 Laws, Issue 17)" was enacted on May 1, 2014, and in March 2015 the "Basic Policy for the Promotion of Rainwater Use" and the "Goal for Establishing a Facility for the Use of One's Own Rainwater in Cases Where the Building is Equipped by the National Government or an Independent Administrative Agency" were established in order to promote the use of rainwater and thereby facilitate the effective use of water resources. Additionally, the government will formulate and enact comprehensive measures for the purpose of contributing to the containment of concentrated drain of rainwater to the sewers and waterways.

## (3) Securing safe and delicious water

With the spread of the waterworks systems, the demand from citizens for safe, delicious water has increased in recent years, making even greater efforts that emphasize water quality vital.

## (4) Promoting measures concerning the permeation of rainwater

Due to the spread of impervious areas in recent years by urban development of drainage basins, more rainwater flows into rivers in short periods of time instead of being absorbed into the ground. In addition to reducing flood damage from heavy rains by absorbing as much rainwater as possible into the ground, improvement to rainwater storage penetration facilities are being promoted through tax measures, for cultivating groundwater, contributing to the revival of springs, and building a healthy water cycle system.

## (5) Promoting measures concerning groundwater

As a result of excessive utilization of groundwater for industrial purposes during the period of high economic growth, adverse effects emerged in various locations such as land depression and salination of water supplies. In the Noubi plain, Chikugo and Saga plains, and the Northern parts of the Kanto plain, where ground subsidence has widely occurred, activities for preventing land depression and preserving groundwater are being conducted by considering the actual situations in those regions, based on the Guideline on Measures for Prevention of Ground Subsidence.

## Realizing amenity by promoting improvements to sanitary drainage

Sewage is the indispensable social infrastructure for the development of healthy cities, treating waste, and preventing floods. In recent years, new demands are being made of sanitary drainage, including forming a low carbon, recycling society and a healthy water circulation system.