This initiative is part of Japan's broader strategy to enhance its engagement with emerging and developing countries, collectively referred to as the Global South.

Already producing flood risk maps for various regions in Japan, the Ministry provides detailed information on the frequency and depth of inundation caused by floods. These maps, based on ground observation data such as rainfall gauges, assess the risk of inundation from heavy rainfall occurring every 10, 30, 50, 100, and 150 or 200 years, aiding in evacuation planning and community development.

Given the frequent occurrence of large-scale flooding in the targeted Southeast Asian countries, the Ministry recognized the necessity for similar maps to indicate flood risks in specific areas. To address the lack of sufficient ground-based observation data in these nations, the Ministry will utilize simulation data from the Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) system, operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and others.

Discussions with the four countries began in fiscal 2023 to identify target areas, with plans to deliver prototype maps to each nation by the end of fiscal 2025. Alongside creating guidelines for map creation, the Ministry will conduct training programs to develop local expertise.

Ngoc Huyen (The Yomiuri Shimbun)