The Sameura Dam in Kochi Prefecture implemented third-stage water restrictions on Wednesday after its storage capacity dropped to approximately 30% [1].
This measure marks the first time in four years that restrictions have been strengthened at the facility [3]. The move highlights a growing disparity in weather patterns across Japan, where severe drought risks in Western Japan are coinciding with record-breaking rainfall in other regions.
Local businesses are already feeling the impact of the water shortage. Mamoru Matsushita, owner of Matsushita Seimenjo in Kagawa Prefecture, said that water is essential for his noodle production [1]. He said that producing 300 servings of udon requires one ton of water [4]. Last month, his business used approximately 287 tons of water [5].
Matsushita is familiar with the cyclical nature of water scarcity in the region. He said he has experienced the era of the "Takamatsu Desert" about three times since starting his business. He said he has installed equipment and implemented water-saving measures each time those periods occurred [1].
While the west struggles with scarcity, other parts of the country are facing extreme precipitation. In Toi-domari, Hakodate, rainfall reached 102.0 mm within a single hour [6]. This contrast underscores the volatility of current meteorological trends across the archipelago.
Dam administrators in Kochi continue to monitor the storage levels as the regional drought concern expands. The third-stage restriction is intended to preserve remaining reserves for essential use during the peak of the summer season [1].
“"300 servings of udon require one ton of water. Without water, it cannot function."”
The simultaneous occurrence of extreme flooding in the north and severe drought in the west suggests a significant disruption in traditional seasonal rain patterns. For regions like Kagawa and Kochi, which rely heavily on the Sameura Dam for agriculture and industry, the return of 'Takamatsu Desert' conditions indicates that existing water-saving infrastructure may be insufficient against more frequent climatic extremes.
