International Contribution Initiatives

Water Works Bureau has celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023 (Reiwa 5) since its international contribution (for details, see the 50th Anniversary of Water Works Bureau International Contribution).
City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau's international contribution initiatives are also introduced in the booklet Ayumi 2024 (PDF: 3,106KB).

It has been 50 years since City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau dispatched its staff to Afghanistan in 1973. During this time, in 1987, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the modern water supply, the Water Works Bureau's own overseas trainee acceptance business also started. . Following the opening of the Yokohama International Center of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2002, City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau was awarded the 2nd JICA President's Award in 2005 for its promotion of international cooperation and cooperation with JICA. Since then, we have been carrying out many international projects in cooperation with Yokohama Water Co., Ltd., which was established in 2010.
In addition, in recent years, we have been collaborating with the Yokohama Water Business Council, which consists of local companies engaged in water environment business, and Yokohama Water Co., Ltd. (outside site), which was established by City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau by 100%.

There are three significances for City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau to promote international contributions.

1.Responsibilities of Water Supply Corporations
One of the priority measures to realize the “New Water Supply Vision” of the country (established in FY2013) is to contribute to and contribute to water problems in developing countries as “international expansion” and link international contributions and water business.
2.Yokohama-shi Policy
Yokohama City aims to realize "Yokohama that grows with the world" by vigorously developing local government diplomacy by taking advantage of its history since its opening of the port, its network with overseas cities and institutions, and the results of international cooperation so far.
3.Human resource development
We believe that by engaging in solving water supply issues in developing countries and gaining experience that cannot be done in Japan, we can expect to improve the skills of staff and develop human resources with an international sense.

Since City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau began its own training program in 1987, City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau has accepted more than 4,000 trainees from 137 countries under various frameworks, including accepting trainees at JICA and collaborating with Yokohama Water Co., Ltd.
In addition, since the dispatch of staff to Afghanistan in 1973, we have dispatched more than 400 Water Works Bureau officials to 34 countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, as experts, lecturers and research teams for technical guidance.

※The number of staff dispatched as experts and research teams is recorded. In addition, there are overseas business trips mainly for attendance at international conferences and administrative work, but this is not included in the above number of staff dispatches.

Results on World Maps:

Map of the country and region where the staff was dispatched (as of March 31, 2024)

In international cooperation projects, we believe that it is important to convey technology and know-how to the other party's water utilities through continuous activities and to support capacity improvement so that they can solve problems independently.
Since fiscal 2020, due to the spread of COVID-19, City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau has been unable to accept overseas trainees and dispatch staff overseas. In order to continuously promote international cooperation projects, we held several seminars focusing on the African region using ICT and mainly on Asia and Africa. In addition, we made some of these initiatives available to members of the Yokohama Water Business Council and provided opportunities for online business matching with local entities.

As a countermeasure against infectious diseases, the stable supply of safe water is becoming increasingly important.
In City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau, we will continue to promote international cooperation projects utilizing ICT and work to improve the water supply business in developing countries as a responsibility of water utilities.

Since fiscal 2003, City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau has been cooperating with the improvement of the water supply business in The State of Vietnam, mainly through technical support to Hue Province Water Supply Corporation through JICA projects and the Water Works Bureau's own cooperation projects.

To the project page in The State of Vietnam

City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau is working with the Saitama Prefectural Enterprise Bureau, Water Works Bureau Saitama City, Kawasaki City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau and JICA to support water-related administrative agencies and water utilities in Laos.

To the project page in Laos

In October 2019, City of Yokohama, Water Works Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding for technical exchange in response to requests for cooperation between local governments from the upper and lower Water Works Bureau of Fisarabad as a JICA project. Based on this, we are implementing a program to accept trainees.

To the page of the project in Pakistan

Since 2008 (Heisei 20), we have been accepting water supply engineers from various African countries in Yokohama for training according to JICA assignments. In addition, we have dispatched staff to Blantire Water Corporation in Malawi, utilizing the JICA volunteer system. In fiscal 2019 (Ryowagen), experts were dispatched to Lirongwe Water Corporation in Malawi.

To the page of cooperation projects in Africa

Through the invitation and participation of international conferences in Yokohama, we disseminate information on global issues in the water business and the latest water supply business from Yokohama.

To the "Invitation and Participation of International Conferences" page