On November 17, the River Culture Forum was held in Saitama City, jointly organized by the Japan River Association and the Sainokawa Research Group. Dr. Tadahiko Nakao of Japan International Infrastructure Partners (JIP) delivered a lecture at the event.
The lecture was organized at the request of the hosts to introduce JIP’s submersible bridge project to a wider audience. This project received the Japan Water Prize – International Contribution Award last year. As JIP’s current president was on an overseas business trip to Laos at the time, Dr. Nakao, the former president who is affiliated with both the Japan River Association and the Sainokawa Research Group, took the podium.
Using presentation slides, Dr. Nakao gave a 90-minute talk explaining the background of the submersible bridge project, its objectives, implementation process, and the practical innovations adopted at the local sites in an accessible manner. A video of the opening ceremony of the Meta Bridge in Laos was also shown, vividly illustrating the positive changes the project has brought to the local community.
Through the case of submersible bridge, the lecture highlighted the vital role that infrastructure—such as bridges and roads—plays in supporting everyday life. We hope that this lecture provided participants with a valuable opportunity to reflect more closely on river culture, international cooperation, and the significance of infrastructure development.
Presentation materials from the lecture
河川文化の会講演Web公開版We also showed footage of a bore wave as an example of the difficulties faced by local residents during the rainy season in Myanmar.