Spatial Imbalance And Institutional Issues Of Water Resources Management In Okinawa, Japan: Fid-Bau Portal

Spatial Imbalance And Institutional Issues Of Water Resources Management In Okinawa, Japan

Yamauchi, Hiroshi / Miwa, Nobuya / Morita, Dai

A growing problem of spatial imbalance in the water economy of Okinawa has evolved with the rapid increase in population and income of the island This problem is compounded by the conflict between water institutions and actual practices that have evolved over its history of changing governance. This historical perspective involves the post-World War II reconstruction and water development impacts of the U.S. military during the occupation years (1945–1972) under the U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyus (USCAR), and the subsequent reversion of Okinawa to Japan in 1972 followed by thefurtherpromotion of economic development andgrowth under the national laws of Japan. The resulting institutional issues and uncertainties seriously constrain decision making at the planning and operating levels as illustrated in the case of the Hija River Comprehensive Development Plan. The practical value andfeasibility of enforcing water rights based on national level concepts (one-tenth probability drought year discharge and minimum river maintenance flow) must be rationalized with the insular conditions in Okinawa. This is a challengefor water policy in Japan.