Six months after Typhoon No. 19 Inundation risk in industrial parks that becomes apparent April 10 at 18:48

Six months after the typhoon 19 which caused heavy rains last October. Recovery has been steadily progressing in the affected areas, and corporate economic activity has returned to its original state at first glance. However, the suffering of companies in the stricken area continues even now. This is a report from Fukushima, which had the worst commercial and industrial damages in Japan. (Fukushima Broadcaster reporter Akira Taruno)

At first glance, it ’s still the same…

This image is of the Koriyama Central Industrial Park where the damage was severe.

There are 280 companies in the area, but the Abukuma River and its tributaries that run nearby are flooded and the entire area is flooded. In some areas, the area was flooded to a height of about 3 meters, resulting in a loss of 40.2 billion yen, more than 40% of Fukushima Prefecture's total commercial and industrial damage.

Although many companies have been forced to suspend production for several months, six months have passed since the disaster, and most have resumed operations and are reviving.

However, as we proceeded, we found that there were common concerns among companies.

The metal processing maker that manufactures tanks etc. responded to the interview. Founded in 64 years, it is a small and medium-sized enterprise with approximately 30 employees.

Production was suspended for more than a month following a flood of 160 cm in height, but it is now operating almost as before.

Still, the expression of the president is not fine. The risk of not leaving my head is that the industrial park will be flooded again. I'm worried that my business partner will hesitate to place an order for a new job.

In fact, a business partner visiting a company to check the status of restoration has been frequently asked about flood control measures in an industrial park, and said that he was struggling to answer.

Miwako Kuroda, President "When I was asked a question from a business partner outside the prefecture that this kind of inundation might occur, I was really clogged. I can't guarantee without inundation damage. I'm worried the most. "

Concern about supply chain collapse

Why do business partners worry so much about the risk of flooding? The reason is that once a factory is shut down, it will affect not only the client company, but also the parts supply network = "supply chain".

Usually, when one product is made, there are not only the manufacturer but also several companies behind it, and the parts made by each are combined and completed. Therefore, if one company stops producing, the supply chain may collapse and the product may not be completed as planned.

In fact, the entire Koriyama Central Industrial Park was flooded 34 years ago. President Kuroda is worried about how to reassure suppliers who want to avoid the risk of flood damage.

President Kuroda: "If you decide that it is safe to rely on a different location even if it is a bit far or expensive, considering the risk of disasters such as floods, you can do nothing."

Starting a business elsewhere without the risk of flooding is not easy for small businesses. The company just opened a second factory six years ago and has no financial resources to relocate to another location.

Large companies also move

While SMEs are suffering, some large companies are beginning to relocate.

Last December, Hitachi announced that it would relocate most of the business it was doing in the complex. The company stated that the reasons for the relocation were that it was difficult to ensure the safety of its employees, and that in the event of a disaster, supplies to business partners could be stopped.

What are the measures?

The government plans to invest a budget of 184 billion yen in 10 years to flood control the flooded Abukuma River. However, companies say that 10 years is too long. Mr. Norio Ogawa, chairman of the Industrial Estate Association, is concerned that if countermeasures are delayed, business partners may leave.

Norio Ogawa, Chairman of the Housing Estate, commented that many managers are concerned that their competitors will take away customers in the wake of the inundation damage. I'm listening. "

Ogawa feels a sense of crisis on the damaged embankment, where there are still places where earth and sand have been removed.

Ogawa Danchi: "I've heard that the country is going to do a lot of big work over 10 years, but in the meantime similar floods could happen again. Here, as soon as possible, the affected companies have hope. I want you to recover. ''

The problem is nationwide

Last year, industrial parks were flooded in Nagano and Chiba prefectures due to typhoons.

Regarding this, Professor Mitsuru Fukuda of Nihon University's College of Crisis Management, who is familiar with crisis management in the event of a disaster, said that industrial parks are often located near rivers and the sea, and have been hit by large-scale disasters He points out that the risks have increased in the last few years.

Professor Mitsuru Fukuda "SMEs play a part in the supply chain by protecting local employment, and in the event of a disaster, they can reduce the competitiveness of the region. The government should be strongly aware of this point. It is necessary to analyze the risks and explain them properly when attracting a company. ''

Through the interview

According to the announcement of land prices announced in March, the decline in land prices of industrial land near Koriyama Central Industrial Park was 3.6%, the highest in the country, and the impact of flood risk is becoming apparent.

I felt that local SMEs only needed to respond to the risk of flooding in industrial parks with a sense of speed just because they supported the foundation of the local economy.

Fukushima Broadcasting Station
Akira Taruno Entered in 2012 Muroran bureau, Sapporo bureau and Fukushima bureau.
Continued coverage of the damage of Typhoon No. 19.