Issues and Problems Regarding Water in Developing East Asia

In this chapter, the concepts of water circulation on the earth and scarcity of water resources are explained first. Then, water problems and issues are summarized, including the fact that polluted water does not function as a water resource. In addition, a number of water problems and issues (i.e., flooding, water scarcity, sea level rise, and water pollution) are systematized. Then, the impact of such issues on the degradation of water quality and difficulty in accessing potable water are treated. Finally, the deficiencies in existing legal systems, financial predicament, and poor governance are explored as trigger elements. Most Asian countries are subject to monsoon rainfall patterns, and many have tropical climates. These, of course, are completely different from the climates found in Europe and North America. Accordingly, Asians need to develop our own methods to cope with Asian climate, particularly with typhoons (cyclones) and periods of heavy rainfall. In conclusion, the notion of Integrated River Basin Management is explained to promote the wiser use of water.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

   Tetsuya Kusuda

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tetsuya Kusuda .

Editors and Affiliations

1. Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

   Takayuki Shimaoka

2. Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

   Takahiro Kuba

3. Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

   Hirofumi Nakayama

4. Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

   Toshiyuki Fujita

5. Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

   Nobuhiro Horii

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