Japan’s Cabinet has approved a comprehensive five-year plan to enhance the country’s disaster resilience, committing more than 20 trillion yen ($139 billion) toward bolstering critical infrastructure through 2030. The sweeping initiative responds to the growing vulnerabilities of Japan’s aging infrastructure and intensifying natural disasters.
The plan, outlined in detail on Friday, includes 326 specific measures that government ministries and agencies will implement starting from fiscal year 2026. Local and regional governments will share part of the financial burden as the country prepares to upgrade transportation, communication, energy, and water systems across the nation.
The decision comes after several high-profile disasters underscored the urgent need for action. A powerful earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day in 2024, causing widespread destruction and prolonged water outages. Additionally, a large sinkhole emerged in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, believed to have been triggered by corrosion in aging sewer systems.
Government targets sewer pipes, bridges, and flood defenses
Of the total investment, 10.6 trillion yen is earmarked for the maintenance and repair of key public services, targeting infrastructure that has long shown signs of wear. The plan includes the restoration of sewer pipes identified as damaged or corroded, aiming to complete all necessary repairs by the end of fiscal 2030. Authorities also plan to accelerate bridge repairs across the country.
Of the roughly 92,000 bridges managed by central and local governments, the repair rate will increase from 55 percent in fiscal 2023 to 80 percent by fiscal 2030. Full restoration is projected to be achieved by fiscal 2051. In response to the increasing severity of flooding and landslides, partly attributed to climate change, the government has allocated 5.8 trillion yen for disaster prevention infrastructure.
These funds will be directed toward the construction of erosion control dams and the reinforcement of river embankments in vulnerable regions. An additional 1.8 trillion yen will support enhanced disaster preparedness measures. This includes the installation of air conditioning units in schools designated as evacuation centers, ensuring better living conditions for evacuees during emergencies.
Japan, situated in one of the world’s most seismically active zones and frequently exposed to typhoons and heavy rainfall, continues to prioritize infrastructure resilience as a key component of its national disaster strategy. The newly approved plan reflects the government’s determination to mitigate future risks while modernizing essential services. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.