In Japan today, many waterworks facilities and pipelines for water supply constructed during its period of rapid economic growth^*1 are aging. Amid concerns about the decline in the safety of tap water, there is a pressing need to maintain and upgrade these facilities and pipelines, as well as to retrofit them for earthquake resistance and disaster preparedness. On the other hand, the municipalities that maintain and manage these facilities are experiencing depopulation due to declining birthrates and aging populations, as well as falling tax revenues. Water suppliers, too, are experiencing financial difficulties, especially in rural areas. And they are also facing the problem of securing human resources and passing on technology as the number of engineers who manage facilities and equipment decreases. The same can be said for sewerage works.

In other words, it is a complex issue involving human, material, and financial resources. Many local governments are taking measures to deal with this issue, such as reducing life cycle costs^*2 and improving efficiency in pipeline maintenance and installation/construction management, reducing workloads by introducing the latest technologies such as AI, and securing sustainable water infrastructure through public-private partnerships.

Kubota has been addressing water-related issues since its foundation. We will continue to mobilize the collective strength of the Kubota Group to provide total support for waterworks projects in the form of products, technology and people, covering everything from tangible and intangible aspects to cost considerations. In addition, Kubota will also continue to support the future of the water supply and sewerage industry by integrating information such as remote monitoring and diagnosis technology data using AI and IoT, and developing new services to manage water not only through products but also through integrated management from control to post-sale service.