MLIT Launches Full Scale River Report Card System

The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) conducted a river survey to measure people's levels of satisfaction with rivers and their surrounding environment, known as a "report card" system, at 669 sites along 230 rivers in 108 catchments nationwide. On a scale of one to five, the average for all sites was three points, with five sites scoring the maximum number of points.

This river report card system evaluates current river environments with the collaboration of governmental and non-governmental organizations. Based on a trial evaluation of 251 selected sites along 39 rivers in fiscal 2002, the MLIT improved the questionnaire form and conducted a full-fledged survey of rivers across the country.

All river sites are evaluated using a five-point scale on the basis of 15 criteria, such as the site's importance, its maintenance requirements and a variety of other aspects. Some 14,800 people participated in this survey. The Ministry plans to maintain and manage the rivers based on the survey results and also to solicit opinions from the public as reference material for implementing the next report card system survey.

Of 669 sites, the following received the highest five-point grade: the Nagasaki-Seseragi Park along the Mogami River in Naka-Machi, Yamagata Prefecture; the Sagae Riverside Plaza along the Mogami River in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture; the Kisosansen Prefectural Park along the Kiso River at Minamihasen in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture; the Kuise River Sports Park along the Kuise River in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture; and Kawasakyo along the Ashida River in Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture.




Posted: 2004/03/02 09:19:59 AM
Japanese version