WOTA Holds Signing Ceremony with Nagasaki Prefecture for the “Agreement on Wide-Area Mutual Aid for Equipment and Materials for Daily-Use Water in Times of Disasters”
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, WOTA held a signing ceremony with Nagasaki Prefecture at the Nagasaki Prefectural Government Office for the “Agreement on Wide-Area Mutual Aid for Equipment and Materials for Daily-Use Water in Times of Disasters”.
This agreement forms part of efforts to build a prefecture-based wide-area mutual aid platform, strengthening frameworks to secure daily-use water during disasters through collaboration between prefectural governments and JWAD (Japan Water Association for Disaster), which organizes and operates the platform.
The Wide-Area Mutual Aid Platform is an inter-municipal mutual support mechanism that enables daily-use water equipment and materials from across the country to be delivered swiftly to disaster-affected areas, using prefectures as regional hubs. By identifying and cataloging equipment and materials held by individual municipalities at the prefectural level during normal times, the platform enables them to be aggregated in disaster-affected prefectures when disasters strike. By optimizing allocation based on water demand, the framework aims to deliver necessary assistance within one week of disaster onset.
The signing ceremony was attended by Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture Ken Hirata and WOTA Representative Director & CEO Yosuke Maeda, who formally signed the agreement.
In his explanation of the agreement’s purpose, WOTA CEO Maeda noted, “Based on our experience during the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, where it took up to approximately one month to aggregate and deploy equipment and materials from across the country, we have been working to build a framework capable of delivering necessary assistance within one week. During the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, with the cooperation of local governments nationwide, more than 100 units were gathered within one week.” He also expressed his gratitude and hopes for the future, adding, “We are deeply grateful to the officials of Nagasaki Prefecture who took charge of operations at the evacuation centers in Uki City. We will continue to expand this circle of collaboration to realize a Japan where no one struggles to access water during disasters.”
Governor Ken Hirata of Nagasaki Prefecture shared his expectations, stating:
“Securing daily-use water in disaster-affected areas is critically important not only for maintaining hygiene and protecting people’s health, but also for preserving the dignity of those affected by disasters. This agreement establishes a framework for Nagasaki Prefecture to receive support from local governments nationwide if the prefecture is affected by a disaster, as well as a framework for participating in relief efforts in disaster-affected areas outside the prefecture. I hope that an effective wide-area mutual support framework will be established among local governments.” He further added, “We will work together, drawing on our respective strengths, to ensure the safety and peace of mind of of Nagasaki Prefecture residents.”
Following the ceremony, a “Disaster Prevention Equipment Demonstration” was held, showcasing the Water-Recycling Shower “WOTA BOX” and the Water-Regenerating Handwashing Stand “WOSH” with actual units on display.
WOTA will continue to deepen its collaboration with local governments and relevant organizations nationwide to build a framework that enables the swift delivery of essential daily-use water during disasters. For details on the agreement, please refer to the news release below:
WOTA Concludes Agreement with Nagasaki Prefecture to Strengthen the “Inter-Municipal Wide-Area Mutual Aid Platform for Water Recycling Systems”