Japan looks to prevent water shortage during Tokyo Olympics

40 degrees, failed transport network and now no flushing toilets. What next?

A hosepipe ban might help.

What happens if we have another summer like we had a few years back with hardly any rain during the rainy season? If I remember correctly, the reservoirs in Tokyo were at historic lows and many were worried about water being rationed. It could easily happen again. What are the plans for that. Steal from farmers etc. just so their precious games can continue?

No worry. Japan has the best technology to convert urine to drinking water.

Tepco are in charge of dams as well?

Akie, sorry but I think it's more than just drinking water. We're talking water, water. You know, the water that will be used to wash dishes at all the eateries and in the Olympic Village, the showers at the hotels and the Olympic village, the water used for cleaning and flushing, the water that is needed in manufacturing industries; you get the idea... you need to drink a lot of water to get a lot of urine.

With over 10 million people expected to arrive for the games... 

London Olympics received 470,000 visitors from overseas. Is the 10 million figure for Tokyo serious, or are the Tokyo planners insane? Their actions to date suggest the latter.

@Akie

Japan has the best technology to convert urine to drinking water.

What is this based on? My understanding is that the USA has the best such technology. NASA developed it and uses it on the space station. The Singaporeans are also leaders in the field.

If there is a shortage regardless of the measures taken, the prefectures may request water from hydroelectric dams operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc, the officials said.

Governments should no longer be requesting anything from TEPCO, they should be directing TEPCO to do what the government wants.

Tokyo planners insane? Their actions to date suggest the latter.

Not insane. Just insanely childish. They want something, anything, defiant, without any thought for the consequences, responsibility, feasibility or reality.

The 10 million foreign visitors coming to Tokyo for the Olympics should be educated to save water. Notices can be put in all hotel rooms in many language. For example, use “half flush” in toilet. Dont leave on tap when brushing the teeth. Drink cold beverages and not water from taps. Have 3 minute shower, and so on.

With over 10 million people expected to arrive for the games

This figure is clearly complete nonsense. The only figure that counts is how many more people than normal will be in Tokyo during the games. Some arrivals will replace other tourists who won't come because of the rip-off prices during the games. Also, once the hotels are full no more people can be accommodated, unless they sleep on the streets.

I would estimate the extra arrivals as the number of athletes to be accommodated in the olympic village, plus the total capacity of Tokyo hotel rooms, minus the usual occupation rate of Tokyo hotel rooms. I expect that number would be far less than one million. For reference, there will be about 120,000 hotel rooms in Tokyo by 2020 and the olympic village will hold fewer than 20000 athletes.

The 10 million foreign visitors coming to Tokyo for the Olympics should be educated to save water. 

How about educating the Japanese, instead. Tell them to suspend the national habit of soaking/bathing after showering every night, then shut down the onsens and sentos, and advise people to reduce their laundry, which the Japanese do more than any other people in the world, according to a survey.

And in other news: the Japanese government is desperate to reverse Japan's falling population.

Sounds like the first priority is the games. And if they can avoid putting water use restrictions on the populace, great, but if they need to do it, they will.

Perhaps some water conservation initiatives would be more appropriate.

All tourists who enter japan during the Olympics must be forced to bring 3 liters of water per person per day. Otherwise no visa.

Similar to some of the above posts, a small campaign to educate about "little" an "large" flushes could have a big impact. A lot of western countries at least only have a one-size fits all toilet flush, and I wouldn't expect most foreigners to be able to understand the big and small kanji on the toilet flusher. If you want to save water, try starting there.

Such a simple matter-hold the Olympics in the spring or autumn!

@kurisu

And mess up the schedules of the mega-rich television companies?

Not going to happen.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we get athletes literally dropping dead in the heat. Martyrs to the cause of the mighty Media Dollar....

Wouldn’t be surprised if we get athletes literally dropping dead in the heat. Martyrs to the cause of the mighty Media Dollar....

That would probably improve ratings...

Folks, the sky is not going to fall during the Olympics. The Sun will rise from the East, as always.

All tourists who enter japan during the Olympics must be forced to bring 3 liters of water per person per day. Otherwise no visa.

Gotta love that "omotenashi" spirit.

The Sun will rise from the East, as always.

The Tokyo Olympic organisers are so incompetent, so devoid of foresight and planning capabilities, that they didn't think of the rising sun in August. Never mind related issues like water which they, just a few months ago, wanted to use to cool down the streets.

10,000,000 visitors? What idiot made up that figure?