Tokyo Photo News July 2023

On July 13, Governor Koike and experts and celebrities active in various fields selected and announced the nickname of the “ National Movement for New and Prosperous Lifestyles toward Decarbonization.” The nickname of the new national movement was decided to be “Deco Katsu,” which combines “Decarbonization,” which reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) and “Eco,” which is good for the environment, and “Katsu” meaning activities and lifestyles in Japanese.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched the “TOKYO Resilience Project” this year, which marks the 100th anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake, with the aim of realizing a resilient and sustainable city that can ensure the safety and security of Tokyo residents from natural disasters such as storms, floods and large-scale earthquakes. On July 24 and 26, an infrastructure tour for media outlets was held to introduce this initiative. Here are some photos of the facilities introduced at the tour.

When the underground wide-area regulating reservoir of Loop Route No. 7 in the Shakujii River section is completed, the Kanda River Loop Route No. 7 Underground Regulation Reservoir and the Shirako River Underground Regulation Reservoir that are already in operation will be connected, and flood control functions can be shared between the watersheds against localized torrential rain, demonstrating a high flood prevention effect.

The downstream regulating reservoir of the Bikkunibashi Bridge was completed in FY 2002 as an underground box-type reservoir, and has been contributing to the improvement of flood safety as a group of Shirako River regulating reservoirs combined with the upstream regulating reservoir of the Bikunibashi Bridge and the underground regulating reservoir of the Shirako River. In the event of a flood, water flows into the underground box-type regulating reservoir from the water intake facility shown in the center of the photo.

The Training and Technical Development Center of the Bureau of Waterworks conducts training, research and development exclusively for waterworks. Through hands-on training, employees acquire practical skills necessary for recovery from disasters.

The Center’s employees are conducting leaked pipe recovery work.

When the tide level rises due to typhoons, etc. the Storm Surge Control Center Command Office prevents flood damage by closing floodgates by remote control.

The floodgate is installed on the border between the outer and inner waters separated by an outer embankment, and when the water level of the outer water area rises due to storm surge, etc., the floodgate is closed in liaison with the Storm Surge Control Center Command Office to prevent the water level of the inland water from rising (flood damage).

The drainage pump station is a facility that operates pumps to forcibly drain seawater in order to suppress the rise in water level inside the floodgate due to rainfall, etc. after the floodgate is closed.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is promoting urban development that is resilient to power concerns in the event of a disaster. The Marunouchi Nijubashi Building Plant, which was built with the support of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and others, is a facility that supports the stable supply of energy in the Yurakucho area even in an emergency by supplying cold and hot water, and power generated through a gas cogeneration system, in addition to the conventional steam supply.

On July 28, an event called "Marunouchi de Uchimizu (Sprinkle water in Marunouchi)" was held by the executive committee of the Otemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho Summer Festival 2023. Participants experienced Uchimizu, or water sprinkling, in an environmentally friendly and old-fashioned way to feel cool. Governor Koike and the Mayor of Chiyoda Ward also attended the event.

On July 29, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival was held for the first time in four years. Approximately 20,000 fireworks were launched at the first and second venues, illuminating the summer night sky of Tokyo.