Recently, severe disasters have become a yearly occurrence. According to a document compiled by the United Nations, in the 20 years between 2000 and 2019, there were approximately 7,348 large natural disasters, which claimed approximately 1.23 million lives. These disasters led to economic losses of approximately 2.97 trillion dollars, and approximately 4.2 billion individuals were affected, falling sick, wounded, or being forced to evacuate. China was most affected with 577 disasters, and was followed by the US, India, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Of the ten most affected countries, eight were in Asia.^*1

The destruction of water, electricity, and gas infrastructure caused by natural disasters can instantly threaten the lives of those in affected areas. It is therefore paramount that preparations are made to protect such infrastructure from the effects of natural disasters. To minimize damage to water infrastructure, it is essential that pipelines and pumps are durable, and close attention must be paid in every process, from design to mechanism In Japan, where earthquakes and typhoons are frequent occurrences, Kubota has developed a range of technologies and products that help to prevent and minimize infrastructure damage.

As early as 1893, Kubota began manufacturing deform water pipes using its unique casting techniques; in 1904, it became the first company in Japan to mass produce water pipes. In addition to the development of pipelines for various infrastructure systems, Kubota for a long time conducted research on earthquake-resistant pipes. As a result, in 1974, the company launched its highly earthquake resistant ductile iron pipes.^*2 Even in the devastating tremors of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake, Kubota’s ductile iron pipelines—which spanned a total of around 3,650 km—were completely undamaged. The pipes’ outstanding durability garnered attention from overseas, and following their installation in earthquake-prone California, have gone on to receive high acclaim.

Elsewhere, Kubota’s drainage pumps are widely used in Thailand, Bangladesh, and other regions that suffer from frequent wind and flood damage. More recently, Kubota pump vehicles previously donated to Thailand were used by the Japanese assistance team in the rescue of the junior soccer team from the Tham Luang cave, a story that received global coverage. In this way, Kubota’s technology played a key role in bringing success to the operation and in turn joy to the people of Thailand.