Social Integration and Acceptance of Emerging Sanitation Infrastructure in Japan

Abstract

Availability and sustainable management of the sewerage system are extremely important as sanitation infrastructure to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6. Japan has become a depopulated society since 2010, and therefore sewerage systems in Japan will face difficulties because of the decrease in human resources, deterioration of the facilities, and limited budgets. Although innovative sanitation technologies to overcome these issues are strongly required, various barriers inhibit the development, implementation, and technology diffusion. The author and his research group have developed “dual dissolved oxygen control system in oxidation ditch process” through three-way university–industry–government partnerships. This chapter summarizes the history of the development, social acceptance, and expansion to other cities of the technology and analyzes the social integration and acceptance process. The key elements behind the success of this project are as follows: (1) enthusiasm of all stakeholders toward the shared goal, (2) win-win relationships among stakeholders and respect for each other, (3) research and development considering future applications and technology diffusion, (4) participation of local governments as important stakeholders, (5) agreement of the municipal parliament of Konan City, and (6) registration of the technology to “JS Innovation Program, ” by Japan Sewage Works Agency.