Publication: Modernization of Japan’s Hydromet Services: A Report on Lessons Learned for Disaster Risk Management
Date
2017
ISSN
Published
2017
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
It is clear that disasters from natural
hazards are having extensive impacts on vulnerable
communities and the economies of many nations. Japan’s
comprehensive multi-hazard approach covering weather,
climate, ocean-related, and terrestrial services has been
applied and developed through numerous experiences of
disastrous events, such as the 2011 Great East Japan
Earthquake, strong typhoon landfalls, and volcanic
eruptions. This summary report aims to provide a knowledge
base for policy and decision makers that will allow
governments and sponsor organizations to understand the
fundamental operations of weather, climate, and hydrological
services (together constituting Hydromet services) and
consequently target effective funding, in particular to
developing countries. It summarizes two detailed and
comprehensive supporting reports: (i) a background paper by
the Japan Meteorological Business Support Center (JMBSC) on
meteorological services; and (ii) a background paper by the
Foundation of River and Basin Integrated Communications,
Japan (FRICS), on hydrology and water resources. The
Japanese model of hydromet services outlined in this summary
report and the background papers is an excellent example of
a modern service with strong government involvement and
institutional governance built up over decades,
comprehensive infrastructure, and sound and advanced service
delivery. This paper is arranged as follows: (a) Section 2
explains the key historical phases of modernization of each
service (as described in the background papers), which led
to the current integrated modern service provided for the
public good; and (b) Section 3, concludes with a synthesis
of the key elements of the Japanese experience understood as
a model for countries undertaking modernization, and
discusses possible implications for developing countries.
Citation
“World Bank. 2017. Modernization of Japan’s Hydromet Services; Modernization of Japan’s Hydromet Services : A Report on Lessons Learned for Disaster Risk Management. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/26706 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”