there have been occurrences of environmental deterioration, as well as navigational obstacles to vessels, due to drifting debris and oil.

To resolve the current state, we advance activities to revive beautiful oceans by (1) sediment dredging, sand capping, and back-filling pits from mining to improve the substratum, (2) creating habitats for organisms by reviving tidal flats and seaweed forests and disseminating buildings that can coexist with nature, (3) removing floating waste and oils by using sea environment maintenance ships, (4) reducing the amount of pollutants released into the ocean by improving sewage treatment facilities, and (5) developing a system to get various entities to improve the environment in collaboration with one another.

## (4) Stimulating sewage maintenance to improve the water environment

We will appropriately formulate and review the comprehensive basin-wide planning of sewage systems, and promote high temperature incineration to remove nitrogen and phosphates which contribute to the eutrophication of enclosed bodies of water. In addition, we are working for early advancement in improving water quality and stratified advanced water treatment by partially renovating equipment and facilities in treatment plants that have not yet reached their scheduled renewal period.

As for the combined sewerage system, we plan to complete implementation of measures by the end of FY 2023 through controlling the amount of water and the frequency at which untreated water is released in to streams during heavy rains.

## 3 Cultivating water and using it efficiently

## (1) Stable supply of water resources

In order to secure stability in the utilization of water, there must be various policies corresponding to the situation of communities from both standpoints of supply and demand. Specifically, in the facet of demand, there are measures to strengthen the recovery and reuse of water, and increase awareness for conserving water. In supply, there are measures to build and maintain facilities to supply water which are water resource development facilities such as dams, implement countermeasures for aging facilities, and develop crisis management measures, etc. In addition to the sustainable conservation and use of groundwater, and promotion of utilizing rainwater and recycled water, based on the “Special Measures for Water Source Area Act”, work is being done to develop the living environment of the water source area and the industrial infrastructures, along with prevention of water pollution of the dam reservoirs.

There is concern that climate change caused by global warming will lead to more frequent, severe droughts that last longer and give rise to more drought-related damage. For this reason, the 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 wastewater from facilities for sanitation of toilets and sprinklers. There are approximately 2,000 facilities utilizing treated water as of the end of FY 2014, and they use over 8.1 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.