Hydroscience and Engineering in Kyushu

Welcome to the 8th China-Japan-South Korea Water Science Forum

　 >>> Invitation Local Organizing Committee Venue & Access Program

The East Asian region is experiencing the fastest urbanization in the world, yielding significant economic benefits. However, depending on the stage of development in various areas, it also faces numerous challenges such as the loss of agricultural land, water resource shortages, excessive groundwater extraction, frequent pluvial and fluvial flooding, inadequate water infrastructure, water pollution and environmental degradation. Additionally, issues related to climate change, aging infrastructure, and a declining birthrate alongside an aging population are becoming increasingly evident, highlighting the urgent need for innovation in water resource management and flood disaster response.

Kumamoto Prefecture, known as the "Land of Water," is particularly rich in groundwater, capable of supplying 100% of the drinking water for the city of Kumamoto. While benefiting from these abundant resources, Kumamoto has also experienced frequent water-related disasters caused by typhoons and intense rainfall during the rainy season. Significant events include the Shirakawa Flood in June 1953, the flood in June 1980, the Kumamoto Wide Area Flood in July 2012, and the Kuma River Flood in July 2020. Recently, the first factory of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), the world's largest semiconductor foundry, was established in Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, with a second factory planned. The expansion of TSMC is transforming not only the rural areas surrounding the factory but also the broader Kumamoto region, as new industrial, commercial, and residential projects rapidly emerge, making Kumamoto one of the fastest urbanizing areas in Japan.

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all participants. We are honored to provide this platform here in Kumamoto, where researchers, practitioners, and future leaders from China, Korea, and Japan come together to share the latest research findings and insights on water resources and flood management in the context of urbanization and climate change, fostering a collaborative research and human network. We hope you enjoy your stay in Kumamoto.

This forum is a collaborative event hosted by Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management of Kumamoto University and College of New Energy and Environment of Jilin University, and it is also part of the J-PEAKS program supported by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), Japan.

Dr. Hiroshi CHO

Professor of Kumamoto University

Chair of the Local Organizing Committee

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Local Organizing Committee