Vietnam officials inspect landslide control tech in Japan's Akita Pref. via JICA program
AKITA -- With northern Vietnam confronting the challenge of increasingly severe rainfall, Vietnamese local government officials recently visited lands
Northern Vietnam's escalating rainfall problem prompted Vietnamese officials to travel to Akita Prefecture, Japan, in search of advanced landslide control techniques. The visit, part of a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) initiative, aimed to connect Japanese companies' innovative technologies with overseas markets. Among the visitors was Nguyen Tu Kha, a 47-year-old emergency response head from Lao Cai province's Department of Agriculture and Environment.
During his Oct. 21 stop at a facility near an expressway, Nguyen witnessed groundwater being discharged through specialized equipment. The demonstration impressed him, as he marveled at the drainage capacity of the machine, considering its compact size. Since 2020, Okuyama Boring Co., a Yokote-based company in Akita Prefecture, has been leveraging JICA Biz, a program that helps Japanese firms develop solutions for developing nations, to apply its technology in Vietnam.
The company has been conducting demonstration tests of a simple groundwater drainage method and working on a system that integrates satellite data, drone surveys, and sensor monitoring to detect early signs of landslides and prevent damage. Japan, too, faces natural disasters, yet its aging population has prompted the nation to look overseas for solutions. Okuyama Boring plans to establish a local subsidiary in Japan next year.
According to a JICA Tohoku representative, small and midsize companies in the Tohoku region have utilized the program to analyze data, secure local partners, and develop business plans in countries like India, Tanzania, and Brazil. These companies have achieved results in various sectors, including rice dryers, nursing care, welfare equipment, and eyesight training devices.
Despite the presence of numerous small and midsize companies in Tohoku with potential solutions for developing countries, few have taken the step to implement them. JICA intends to provide accompanying support to encourage these firms to develop their businesses. Inquiries can be made to the center at 022-223-4772.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
