ausinnovate: nbn conference 2011 - sawaaki yamada, nomura research institute (japan)

Copyright© 2011 Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. All rights reserved.

Disaster & ICT in Japan

Sawaaki YamadaCorporate Senior Advisor

Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.


1. State of Diffusion of Broadband Networks


3 of 24

Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, 2001-2009(%)

(year)

Source) ITU

Japan

Australia

World


4 of 24

Number of fixed broadband subscribers by type of access line , 2001-2009

Source) Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

(Thousands of contracts)

(year)

Optical Fiber

ADSL

CATV


5 of 24

Why has broadband diffusion advanced?

2002-20052002-2005 New entry of Softbank was a large trigger in diffusion of DSL.

Low charges, Powerful marketing …

2006-2006-Owing to the recapture strategy of the largest telecom provider NTT, the shift to optical fiber has advanced.

Cash back campaign, Visits to individual homes …


2. Damage by the Great East Japan Earthquake


7 of 24

Occurred at 14:46 on March 11, 2011

Epicenter: Sanriku Oki (38.1°N 142.9°E, depth 24 km) Magnitude 9.0Maximum of 7 on the Japanese scale of seismic intensity detected in north of Miyagi PrefectureArea extending 500 km north to south affected by aftershocks

Source) Japan Meteorological Agency

March 11, 201114:46 9.0 M

March 11, 201115:25 7.5 M

March 11, 201115:15 7.7 M

March 11, 201117:17 7.0 M

March 11, 201123:37 7.1 M

March 11, 201115:08 7.4 M


8 of 24

Major tsunami warning issued at 14:49Largest wave reaches coast 30-60 minutes after quake

Tsunami measuring at least 10 m in height hits three prefectures in northeastern Japan440,000 people in region covering 500 km2 affected by flooding

photo) Minamisanriku Town (by Kimura)


photo) Ishinomaki City(by Azumi)

Residential area


photo) Souma City(by Azumi)

Marine vessel on land


11 of 24

Main damageHuman damage (National Police Agency figures released May 12, 2011)

Confirmed fatalities: 14,998Missing: 9,761

Buildings damaged (government figures released May 6, 2011)Destroyed: 78,667Partially destroyed: 30,409Partially damaged: 231,847

Economic cost25 trillion yen (Cabinet Office estimate)


12 of 24

Quake’s distinguishing features

1. Geographical scopeDamage over wide area (over 500 km north to south)

2. Combination of damaging effectsEarthquake, tsunami, nuclear accident

3. Long-term natureProtracted nature of work to contain and reduce impact of incident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power PlantImpact on power supply/demand and energy policy


13 of 24

Emergency reconstruction measures required

1. Support for victims2. Measures to deal with Fukushima Daiichi3. Regional reconstruction and industrial regeneration4. Action on power supply and demand5. Promotion of disaster preparedness measures in light

of the quake’s effects


3. Impact of the quake on ICT infrastructure and lessons


15 of 24

Damage to telecoms and status of recovery- Extensively damaged but 99% restored 1.5 months later -

Fixed lineFixed line MobileMobile

33% of lines in Tohoku region (1 million) unavailable

Immediate aftermath

NowAt least 99% recovery rate at exchange office building level, but many access lines still unavailable

21% of Tohoku and Kanto base stations (148,000) knocked out

99% of base stations back in operation


16 of 24

State and causes of damage to mobile network- Loss of power was major cause of damage (base stations’

rechargeable batteries expired, exchanges ran out of fuel to generate own electricity)

Base station Exchange office building Network

• Failures due to power stoppage: 70%

• Collapse of base stations: 5%

• Severance of cables: 10%


17 of 24

Congestion and access restriction during major quake- Traffic was 50-60 times ordinary level- Priority communications access in event of disaster (public agencies, public phones)

Fixed lineFixed line Calls restricted up to 80-90%×Mobile (Voice)Mobile (Voice)

Calls restricted up to 70-95%

Mobile (Packet*)Mobile

(Packet*)

×Calls only partially restricted, restrictions rapidly lifted○

*E-mail, access to news website, etc.


18 of 24

Use of safety confirmation system

• Disaster emergency message dial (Voice message board)• 3.30 million uses

• Disaster emergency broadband message board (Internet)• 0.26 million uses

• Disaster message board (Mobile)• 4.25 million uses


19 of 24

Role played by social media

Nuclear physicist who attracted large following

Joint private-government site providing information from disaster area


20 of 24

Lessons of the quake(1) Strong need for mobile networks

• 50- to 60-fold increase on ordinary demand immediately following quake

• Problems posed by congestion and power loss• Rapid recovery despite quake damage• Microwave connection of sites affected by severed

cables


21 of 24

Lessons of the quake(2) Effectiveness of data transmission

• Effectiveness of email• Disaster message board, Area Mail Disaster

Information Service• Consideration of launch of message service based

on use of audio files


22 of 24

Lessons of the quake(3) Access to diverse power sources

• Power stoppages were major cause of mobile network failures

• Importance of measures such installation of PV systems and large-capacity rechargeable batteries, as well as commercial power sources

• Terminals’ lack of battery capacity also an issue


23 of 24

Importance of being able to respond imaginatively in emergencies

• Able to respond to unexpected events• Creation of ideas under severe conditions and

constraints• Thorough understanding of daily operations and

teamwork


24 of 24

Support and cooperation at home and abroad

• Cooperation at evacuation centers• Support from within Japan: Donations worth approx.

AUD 2.0 billion received• Support from Australia and other countries

ausinnovate: nbn conference 2011 - sawaaki yamada, nomura research institute (japan)

Education

rights reserved

rights reserved

rights reserved

rights reserved

access

diffusion

support

measures