Japan Press Weekly

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2013 November 20 - 26 [TOKYO]

JCP urges Tokyo to improve flood-control system in subway stations

Japanese Communist Party representative Kachi Kayoko on November 18 called on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to impose stronger countermeasures at its subway stations against floods caused by powerful rainstorms.

At a metropolitan assembly meeting on that day, Kachi introduced the national government’s report suggesting the possibility of flooding at many subway stations in Tokyo. Citing the delay in flood-control measures taken by Honjo-azumabashi Station located in eastern Tokyo, she urged Tokyo to increase efforts to prevent injuries and water damage.

According to Kachi, the station on the Asakusa Line needs two or three people and about a half hour to close a watertight door to prevent the tunnel from being flooded.

When hit by a heavy downpour, the station also has to install five 20-kilogram boards each to shut down four entrances on the ground. “It takes a long time to do so while guiding passengers and securing their safety,” Kachi pointed out.

The JCP assembly member also said that the Asakusa and Shinjuku subway lines, operated by the metropolitan government, have failed to install automatic safety doors on their platforms. She urged the government to set a date to swiftly complete the installment of such safety measures.