Wessex Water in the UK had received several guests from Japan and the JSTT earlier in 2008, when Julian Britton of the Critical Sewers Team (CST) helped to lay a new foundation between the JSTT and the UKSTT. Following on from these meetings, Japan seemed like a natural choice, especially considering the gracious invitation offered by the JSTT in thanks for their visit to Wessex Water. Although I had considered many other locations, I was really moved by the willingness of the JSTT and in particular the enthusiasm of JSTT Membership Secretary Kyoko Kondo, who had been in contact with us months before my potential trip.

I was also offered a rare opportunity to take part in the JSTT technical conference being held on 20 November 2008, where participants give a 15 minute presentation on new trenchless techniques. I was offered 30 minutes for mine, so I jumped at the most generous offer! Furthermore, I see Japan as being at the forefront of modern Trenchless Technology and, considering the logistical and socio-economic problems faced by huge cities like Tokyo, I knew that there would be a great chance to see and exchange new ideas in a country that is not so well known to the UK market. On a personal level I have always wanted to visit Japan for its culture and diversity. I consider it to be a truly unique place.

My two week schedule began by meeting the three core members of the JSTT: Taigo Matsui, Chairman of the JSTT; Kyoko Kondo, my translator and guide; and Yoshihiko Nojiri, the current Executive Secretary of the JSTT. I learned that Mr Matsui had previously been at the top of the Japan Institute of Wastewater Engineering Technology (JIWET) and was a highly revered man in the industry.

The JSTT Technical Conference

The first part of my week was largely taken up with preparing for the JSTT conference. Ms Kondo was busy making preparations for all the entrants, and the big day. We managed to get some valuable practice in beforehand though, as she would be translating my whole presentation for me!

The big day arrived, and we travelled to the Hatsumeikaikan Hall in central Tokyo. Wessex Water and partners De Neef and SDI-Unistride won the best new product/innovation category at the ISTT awards ceremony in Rome in September 2007. My talk, based on this presentation, was entitled ‘Sewerseal JF: a Modified Polyacrylate Gel for Sealing Groundwater Infiltration’. This is a method for preventing groundwater infiltration in pipelines. My talk went really well, and I even introduced myself in Japanese! Ms Kondo did an excellent job of translating too. Throughout the day I met many people from many companies, and I also learned that the last time a European had presented at the conference was in 1990, and that since then relations between the JSTT and the UKSTT had fallen somewhat quiet.

Friday 21 November

I spent the day going around to the various arms of the Japanese Ministry that govern all the water and wastewater operations in Japan. Mr Matsui accompanied us on all our visits thoughout the day, which ensured we had no problems gaining entry. We were very fortunate because it is normally very difficult to gain access to such places in Japan. My visit focused on the sewage networks. It was briefly explained that the National and prefectural governments (a prefecture describes an area or region of controlling government), municipalities and supporting organisations all co-operate with each other to meet the needs of the residents. Each organisation has a role, such as financial, regulatory, planning and construction, supply of building materials, conducting research and development, and the operation and maintenance of systems. The whole method is conducted organically. The key partners are JIWET, the Japan Sewage Works Agency (JS), the Japan Sewage Works Association (JSWA), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism together with private companies.

On the weekend we travelled to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, on the Shinkansen bullet train. In Kyoto I was able to do some sightseeing. My trip coincided with the national holiday ‘Labour Thanksgiving Day’ (kinro kansha no hi), a national holiday for honouring labour. I saw many sights including Sanjusangen-do, a temple with 1,001 individual statues of a Buddhist deity

Tuesday 25 November

I saw a pipe splitting project in Chiba, a prefecture in the greater Tokyo area — east of the city, carried out by Tokyo Sangyo. I was escorted by Mr Iso of Tokyo Sangyo. It was interesting to observe. One length was pulled through by a winch, and a coil of new Polyethylene pipe pulled through, with the splitting head breaking out the old steel pipe as it was pulled through. The other length used a hydraulic puller for extra power. It occurred to me that we may be able to apply this technology for replacement of water mains in the UK. Later I met Hiroaki Nishioka of Tokyo Sangyo, who I recalled having met at the conference the previous week. Mr Nishioka is a good friend of Steve Kent, the Chairman of the UKSTT. We discussed the mutual benefits that our companies could offer each other, and later he took me out to dinner.

Wednesday 28 November

I was introduced to a Mr Nishioka (a different one!). The construction project we visited involved lining 17 metres of 200mm diameter sewer. There were around six lateral connections. It was very interesting, because in my team in Wessex Water we carry out a lot of water cure lining work, but I have never observed steam cure. The process is named PALTEM (Pipeline Automatic Lining System), and much of the equipment seemed to be largely similar, however I was informed that Ashimori utilises a very unique process that distributes the steam evenly, and a kind of plug is also used to pull through and drain out excess water in the process. I also observed the use of activated carbon to reduce the styrene problems.

In the afternoon I went with Ms Kondo and Mr Nojiri to see a Toa Grout UV lining project in central Tokyo. We arrived on site, and I was introduced to Mr Takashi Kawafuji, and a Mr Hirayama, among others. We were just in time to observe some lateral cutting of the 530 mm diameter liner. It would appear that in Tokyo, most of the manholes have adjacent access hatches at 1.5 metres from the main sewer, and this enables a light to be shone down to the main sewer. With the light, it is easy to position the lateral cutter with precision. The 1.5 metre length of lateral is also renovated as part of the prefecture or local government requirements. I observed that Toa Grout operates its construction using the TMS (Total Medical System) division of the company, which it owns, and the logo is also displayed on all the vehicles at the construction site, which adds clarity for anyone watching. I learned that the prefectures in Japan, in this case Tokyo Metro City government, check on the quality of the work carried out, and use a points system to evaluate it. The construction foreman then receives a commendation if the job is well done. Later Mr Ooka of Toa Grout took us out to dinner for some more culinary delights.

Thursday 27 November

I met Ms Kondo at the JSTT office and we travelled to Warabi City, in the Saitama prefecture, north of Tokyo. We observed a 2,600 mm diameter concrete pipe jacking project of some 100 metre long. We were picked up by Mr Takashi Senda of the Obayashi Road Company, and taken to the site. The new pipe was being installed as part of a flood alleviation scheme. I was introduced to Mr Yoneda, the foreman of construction of Obayashi Road, carrying out the construction works, who explained the site to me. I also met Mr Hosoi from Warabi City, who had made a special trip to meet me. I felt honoured by this. Ms Kondo and I then suited up and climbed down into the pipe where we were able to walk along and see the control systems and stand behind the tunnel boring head. Afterwards we went to lunch with Mr Senda, who had knowledge about a great many things.

In the afternoon we returned to the JSTT offices where I gave a presentation to around ten people from various companies on an overview of our work within the Critical Sewers Team in Wessex Water. I also gave the Aqualiner pipe lining presentation, requested by Mr Ooka, who has recently bought the patents for the Aqualiner process. Again the object of this exercise was to exchange information and ideas. The presentation went well, if not a little long.

Friday 28 November

Meeting Ms Kondo and Mr Nojiri once again, we travelled to Kashiwa city to the northeast of Tokyo to see a small 450 mm diameter pipe jacking project, carried out by the company Airec, from which I met many representatives. Airec was using an Acemole system for the pipejacking, and this phase of the project spanned some 164 metres. I met Mr Kiyoshi Kawasaki of Acemole, who was very helpful in explaining the equipment and process, which had some cutting edge features, among them a system to go round bends successfully. Again I was very humbled by the fact that although the construction phase was complete, the equipment had been retained for my arrival, and I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr Shinji Ishibiki, the representative official from Kashiwa city, who had made a special trip to meet me. Later I was taken to the Airec offices where I was introduced to some new techniques, one of which may prove to be highly beneficial for us in the UK and Wessex Water.

Renewing international relationships

I would like to end by saying that throughout my entire visit to Japan, the people I met showed me incredible kindness and generosity. There are many people who I do not mention here, but to whom I owe my thanks. I am also writing a much more comprehensive review of my trip. It is my profound hope that my visit on behalf of the UKSTT will help further our relationship, inspire more visits and exchanging of ideas, and perhaps a regular collaboration between our two societies.