Revival of Industry — Reconstruction from Flood Damage in —

23 Revival of Industry Achieving Symbiosis between the Economy and the Natural Environment Seeking an Industrial Model that Maintains Harmony between the Farming and Manufacturing Industries

Thailand

Chao Phraya River

Bangkok Located approximately 4,600 km south of of rice and other crops formed the nucleus of fledged industrialized nation. In fact, while Japan, the Kingdom of Thailand is often called its national industry until the latter half of the farming accounts for over 40% of the working a “land of smiles.” In the mountainous areas 1980s, when the government shifted gears to population, it contributes no more than 12% to the north rises the country’s highest peak result in a fully industrialized country. of their GDP, whereas manufacturing accounts of Doi Inthanon (2,565 m), while the Chao for about 34% of Thailand’s GDP and as much Phraya River Delta spreads across its central By welcoming with open arms foreign as 90% of its exports, despite the fact that it region to form one of the world’s largest grain companies and direct investments from constitutes only about 15% of the working belts. The local climate is tropical, with a hot Japan and Western countries, the Thai population*1. One could say that Thailand has season beginning in March and a rainy season economy experienced rapid growth in the aspects of both an agricultural country and an lasting from June to October, which is followed 1990s. Although the Asian currency crisis industrial country. by a rather cool, dry period. Extremely stemming from the country in 1997 caused abundant in solar radiation, the country’s its economy to temporarily become sluggish, It was this beautiful nation that was struck by year-round temperature is about 30 degrees a V-shaped recovery trend was achieved massive flooding about six months after the centigrade. Blessed both geographically and and high growth has been sustained ever Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. in terms of climate, Thailand boasts fertile since. Thailand’s manufacturing industry, in soil that makes the country the world’s largest particular, has developed so dramatically that *1 Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan A flood-damaged neighborhood (north of Don Muang Airport, near Lak Hok, Province) exporter of rice. It is safe to say that farming it may very well be said that it is now a full- (MOFA) web site

24 25 Revival of Industry

Houses and utility poles hit by flooding (Sai Noi, “Send Drain Pump Province) Vehicles to Thailand!”

Draining water from a marketplace (near Lak Hok, A Japan Disaster Relief Expert Team Rushed to the Site )

Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate ( ooded on October 4) Ayutthaya Rojana Industrial Park ( ooded on October 9) Ban Wa (Hi-Tech) Industrial Estate ( ooded on October 13) Factory Land Industrial Estate Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate Traces of water can even be found on the Reclining ( ooded on October 15) ( ooded on October 14) Buddha. (Wat Lokayasutha, Ayutthaya Province)

Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate Bangkadi Industrial Estate ( ooded on October 17) Nakhon Nayok ( ooded on October 20) Sai Noi Pathum Thani Lak Hok District Nonthaburi Don Muang Airport Province King’s Dike

Bangkok

Chachoengsao Water purification plant at the Nava Nakorn ■ Suvarnabhumi Airport Flood damage map of Bangkok and its suburbs Industrial Estate at the time of flooding (data courtesy of JETRO web site) Samut Prakarn Flooded farmlands (Sai Noi, )

sea surface temperature across the equatorial part of Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok in by idly. They have since built not only dams*4 accelerated redevelopment projects, which Eastern Central Pacific Ocean falls between November. but also the “King’s Dike,” a levee that encloses resulted in a significant decline in their water- July and October*3. As a result, precipitation Bangkok to prevent floodwaters from the north holding capacity. Also, the floods lingered along the upper basins of the Chao Phraya The were heavily from pouring into the city, and constructed over several months for various reasons, such River, which runs through the country, was reported by the Japanese media, but in drainage canals and flood gates. However, the as the country’s geographical features and the Underlying Causes of the Floods about 50% higher than in normal years due reality the country has experienced flooding rainfall in 2011 was “beyond expectations.” characteristics of the Chao Phraya River, which Switchover from Farming to Manufacturing to the kind of downpour that occurs “only on numerous occasions. Over the past 10 By early October, the storage capacities at flows very slowly due to its extremely low and Distinctive Topography once every 60 years” (Thai Royal Irrigation years, Thailand has suffered nearly 30 floods most of the country’s dams had reached their gradient*5. Department). Originating in the north of the that each claimed over 100 victims, and limits. Knowing that it could worsen the The 2011 Thailand floods affected country in July, the floods gradually moved such disasters now occur with even greater situation in the lower reaches, the government *2 As announced by the United Nations Interna- ■ Flood-damaged provinces approximately 13 million people in 63 of the southward, affecting virtually every province frequency than in the past. Delving a little was forced to release water to prevent the tional Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) (as of November 24, 2011, country’s 77 provinces. Claiming 813 lives*2, in the central lowlands by September. The further back into history, the country was also dams from collapsing, thus triggering the *3 It is believed that “La Niña” happens periodically data courtesy of JETRO and is not the result of abnormal weather. Due to web site) this natural disaster wreaked tremendous floodwaters from the Chao Phraya River visited by severe floods that each took more severe floods. When rivers overflowed in the its frequent occurrence in recent years, however, damage of a magnitude never before seen advanced further south to inundate the historic than 400 lives in 1983 and 1995 (coincidently, past, the vast paddy fields served as natural some suspect a cause-and-effect relationship with in the country. The direct cause behind city of Ayutthaya (a UNESCO World Heritage the year of the Great Hanshin-Awaji reservoirs and halted the spread of damage, global warming. the severe flooding was heavy rainfall from site) in October and the industrial estates Earthquake), which spread as far as Bangkok. but some of these fields and wetlands had *4 Also intended to supply water to farmlands dur- ing dry months. numerous typhoons triggered by La Niña, an where many Japanese manufacturers are based. been transformed into industrial estates and *5 The difference in elevation between Ayutthaya in ocean-atmosphere phenomenon in which the The raging waters finally reached the northern Of course, the Thai Government has not sat residential districts through government-led the north and Bangkok is only 2 m.

26 27 Revival of Industry “Send Drain Pump Vehicles to Thailand!”

Drain pump vehicles in full operation

Team members met daily to report on progress A banner thanking the Thai people for their A Japan Disaster Relief team of drainage experts at work (Sai Noi, Nonthaburi Province) with their work. support for reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Bangkok Escapes Flood Damage. on how Bangkok was damaged by the floods, involved in the development of the drain for driving the vehicles on the road. In so the Thai floods, he volunteered to travel to Panuwat Triyangkulsri Water Damage at some 450 Japanese the most severe damage was in fact suffered by pumps mounted on the vehicles. Conventional doing, I was often impressed by the instant and Thailand and caught a flight from earthquake- Director, Ministry of Industry Companies in Industrial Estates local cities, and most of the 800 victims were pumps of equivalent capacity weighed no less accurate responses from my counterparts—so afflicted Sendai to another disaster site in the Kingdom of Thailand living outside of the capital city. Also, one sharp than 800 kg, and thus cranes were needed long as we made arrangements in Japan, we Thailand. Our editorial team arrived in Bangkok in mid- distinction between this instance of flooding for their installation. This made it no easy could leave them to take care of the rest because December. Contrary to the sensational headlines and previous disasters was the existence of task to transport them to disaster sites and they have talented people and systems there “Before draining work began, the water at the of some Japanese newspapers proclaiming numerous industrial estates. Director Panuwat operate them there. After painstaking efforts to that work.” Rojana Industrial Park was about 1.5 m deep,” Kei Jinnai “Bangkok Submerged,” not a trace of flooding Triyangkulsri of the country’s Ministry of enhance the mobility of the pumps by reducing remembers Kobayashi. “The entire area was Director, Training Division was to be found at the center of the capital city. Industry stated that, “The Thai economy their weight to about 30 kg, Kubota came up Unlike previous instances of international covered by the floodwaters, and so we had no Secretariat of Japan Disaster According to local residents, it was only the suffered a major blow due to damage in the with drain pumps that could be installed and emergency assistance, this case saw a “hybrid” choice but to feel our way around. Our local Relief Team, JICA northeastern regions and the riverside areas industrial estates.” The floodwaters poured into removed without the use of heavy machinery. team combining members from MLIT, JICA, workers were wonderful in responding to our of the Chao Phraya River flowing across the seven industrial estates to the north of Bangkok, Kubota went one step beyond to combine the general contractors, and Kubota. Jinnai recalls, expectations, which impressed me profoundly. city that were inundated, and central Bangkok affecting some 450 Japanese companies—about pump with an independent power generator to “The teamwork among MLIT, JICA, general They also proactively shared their ideas as to Hiroaki Kobayashi managed to avoid any flood damage. However, 1/3 of those operating in Thailand. In an attempt assemble a self-sustaining, highly mobile drain contractors, and Kubota was simply fabulous. what they thought needed to be done next. The Construction Section this does not mean that Bangkok escaped the to proffer aid in this situation, the Japanese pump vehicle, the first of its kind in the world. Clearly recognizing the objective of these pumps, too, did a marvelous job of operating Pump Engineering floods without a scratch: in a desperate effort Government decided in early November to Their merits having been demonstrated in rescue operations, they all performed their around the clock*8 for seven consecutive days Department to defend their capital from the floodwaters, dispatch a Japan Disaster Relief expert team to the rehabilitation process following the Great duties with the pride of true professionals. I under sweltering heat of more than 30 degrees Kubota Corporation the Thai Government had built levees and Thailand. Assembled by the Japan International East Japan Earthquake, the vehicles were to be believe that they did so in order to reciprocate centigrade. I believe that everyone in the team sandbagged the levees to divert the incoming Cooperation Agency (JICA), the team was sent overseas to assist reconstruction efforts in the support extended by the people of was keenly aware of the great responsibility that southbound deluge to the east and west. Because charged with the mission of supporting drainage Thailand. Having been involved in international Thailand for reconstruction from the Great we were shouldering as members of the ‘All- areas around Bangkok were damaged by the at industrial estates and elsewhere through the emergency assistance at many disaster-stricken East Japan Earthquake”*6. Japan’ team.” floodwaters that had thus been diverted, the operation of drain pump vehicles. areas outside of Japan, Kei Jinnai of JICA transportation network was severed, which in was assigned to the task of coordinating the The team of experts began draining work at the The team moved from the Rojana Industrial turn resulted in the temporary cessation of the Self-sustaining, Highly Mobile “Kubota-made work up to the commencement of drainage. “I Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya Province Park to carry out draining work at the supply of food and other goods. In a panic, Pumps” received an order from the government to go to on November 19. Hiroaki Kobayashi was one Bangkadi Industrial Estate, and then shifted some people rushed to stockpile foods and The Pride of Professionals Representing Japan Thailand on November 2nd,” says Jinnai. “The of the eight members from Kubota involved to neighboring residential districts, the Asian daily necessities, and not a few took temporary drain pump vehicles left port for Thailand on in the team. An experienced engineer from Institute of Technology, the Nava Nakorn *6 In addition to donations, Thailand freely lent two th th gas turbine generators and incidental facilities to shelter outside of the city, out of the concern Ten drain pump vehicles owned by the Chubu the 5 and arrived there on the 18 . While the Kubota Pump Engineering Department’s Industrial Estate, a residential area in Plai help Japan deal with the power shortage in the that “Bangkok might be submerged” in the Regional Development Bureau of Japan’s they were being shipped, I was busy carrying Construction Section, Kobayashi had been Bang, and the Lak Hok district ( Tokyo metropolitan area that resulted from the floodwaters. For the time being, the city was Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport out the preparatory work for the team, such pumping water in an area of Miyagi Prefecture University and residential areas in its vicinity). nuclear incident. plunged into a state of confusion. and Tourism (MLIT) were shipped. With a as requesting our counterparts in Thailand extending across the towns of Minamisanriku Thanks to the mobility of the drain pump *7 After the Great East Japan Earthquake, a total drainage capacity of 30 m3 per minute, these to provide labor, fuel, and other necessities and Watari to assist in rehabilitation after vehicles, draining work within industrial estates of 71 drain pump vehicles of the same model as those sent to Thailand were gathered from across One thing that must be made clear first of all vehicles can empty a 25-m swimming pool for draining work, selecting places for our the Great East Japan Earthquake from April progressed both quickly and smoothly over the the nation to pump out water. is that, despite extensive media reports in Japan in approximately 10 minutes. Kubota was assistance activities, and obtaining permission to early November*7. Hearing the news of one-month period following their arrival. *8 Excluding downtime for refueling

28 29 River Engineering for “Flood Control” they were washed away on October 20, when damming up the deluge before it reached The Need for a Grand Design against Disasters the floodwaters were at their peak. The waters Bangkok. As a result, the floodwaters ended up reached a depth of 1 m, and we had resigned pouring into the areas around Bangkok. Located Sai Noi, Nonthaburi – One of Bangkok’s ourselves to waiting for them to recede when we next to the capital, Nonthaburi Province saw northwestern neighbors, Sai Noi is located heard the news of a Japanese team coming to our floodwaters overrun its land. Although some about 20 km from the central area of the aid with drain pump vehicles. I cannot tell you point out that obsolete weather observation capital city. As the appearance of the landscape how thrilled we were, and it felt as if our dream radar equipment prevented accurate forecasting gradually changed from urban to rural, we had come true. If we had not had the drain of the heavy rainfall, the floods also revealed began to see more and more areas that had pump vehicles, it would have taken four months issues with Thailand’s irrigation and drainage been inundated by the floodwaters. While it is for the waters to finally recede. As you can see, systems and dam operations. The Thai true that the country has numerous canals and the roads are no longer submerged, and we are Government has undertaken a variety of river waterways, we were greeted by the sight of entire 80% to 90% back to normal. We are expecting improvement measures, but they have yet to surfaces of fields completely submerged by to be able to sow seeds very soon*10. Thanks to take a fundamental step toward “controlling water. Apparently, the floodwaters had receded your help, we can all go home and resume our waters,” and are mostly focused on “protecting considerably, as the roads were sufficiently work.” Joining his hands together, he said, “We the capital city.” Going forward, it is imperative “visible” to drive on, but it did not seem that are truly thankful.” that they go back to the drawing board to map farmers would be able to resume their work out a grand design for disaster mitigation, which any time soon. Our destination, Sai Noi, has 11 We deliberately chose Nonthaburi Province would include drastic revisions to the flood communities, and the drain pump vehicles were and Pathum Thani Province, also a neighbor to control infrastructure that also encompasses the at work in two of them. We were told that the Bangkok, because they are in a sense symbolic neighborhoods around Bangkok, the integrated draining work had been proceeding according of the recent floods. In a desperate move to management of rivers, and enhancement of the to schedule and was now in its final stage*9. defend the capital city from the impending ability to forecast floods. We had the privilege of speaking with Village floodwaters that were steadily moving down Mayor Kanchanawat Funthong, who explained: from the north, the Thai Government raised *9 Sai Noi was also an area in which draining work rd “In our village, we have a population of about the height of the King’s Dike—the linchpin of was finished. On December 23 , the governor of Bangkok announced that the capital was com- 1,000 comprising 380 families. The floodwaters its flood control system—and placed several pletely flood-free. began encroaching on us from September. We thousand “big bag” sandbags along roughly 6 *10 In Thailand, many rice farmers sow seeds created ridges to defend against the waters, but km of railway tracks in the east, thus successfully directly instead of planting out seedlings. Large quantities of water pour in from the Chao Phraya River through flood gates. Several waterways spread across the entire city of Bangkok.

Revival of Industry “Send Drain Pump Vehicles to Thailand!”

“Big bags” protect railway tracks from the Highways also serve as levees against floods. floodwaters. (north of Don Muang Airport) The current King’s Dike comprises paved roads and riverbanks. (near Lak Hok, Pathum Thani Province)

A city of water, Bangkok offers a large assortment of foods ranging from fresh meat to fish and vegetables.

Even after disastrous flooding, people do not forget their reverence for nature. (Sai Noi, Nonthaburi Province)

Once out of downtown Bangkok, a calm and peaceful rural scene spreads across the horizon.

Kanchanawat Funthong, Village Mayor of Sai Noi As the city undergoes rapid urbanization, the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) has been developed to ease traffic congestion.

Providing donations for flood victims (, Bangkok)

30 31 Revival of Industry SKC and Industrial Estates— On the Path to Recovery “All-Kubota” Team Putting Plants Back into Full Operation

Many water trucks gather to receive pure water from the FILCERA purification system for cleaning their plants. (Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate water purification plant)

Many Japanese Manufacturers Were Forced to SKC, Kubota’s largest production center in in mid-October. Levees had been built around “Connect the Line!” to Shut Down Due to Flooding of the Nava Southeast Asia. the estate to defend against the floods, but the Supply Chain Reconnected by the Thai Nakorn Industrial Estate, the Home of SKC deluge overflowed the levees, breaking some of People’s Remarkable Resilience Once on the premises, the first thing that them in the process, and poured into the estate. Japanese manufacturers suffered flood damage caught our attention was the desolation of the Despite strenuous efforts by each company to After being damaged in the floods, SKC was at the Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in area. It seemed that the buildings remained reinforce and sandbag the banks in order to compelled to realign its production arrangements. Pathum Thani Province, located 45 km north- intact, but various objects were scattered stem the flood, the waters continued to pour in Production of horizontal diesel engines was northeast of downtown Bangkok. Siam Kubota about and heaps of rubble could be seen until they reached a depth of 2 m, forcing the temporarily transferred to an Indonesian plant Corporation Co., Ltd. (SKC) is among the here and there. Several days before our visit, companies to shut down their operations. and that of rotary tillers*12 was shifted to a plant at 104 Japanese-affiliated companies operating a “Big Cleaning Day” had been announced, the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chonburi there (out of a total of 190 companies)*11. Of and employees at each plant were kept Thanks to efforts by the JICA-led Japan Province that had escaped disaster. Having the Japanese companies operating in Thailand, busy with fixing up and cleaning muddied Disaster Relief team of experts, however, served at SKC for 30 years, Manufacturing Head Kubota has the longest history in the country, equipment and fixtures. In addition to SKC, draining work had been almost completed Quarter Deputy General Manager Charnnarong dating all the way back to 1978. The company the Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate is home by early December, and rehabilitation efforts Wongvitavas spoke with us, saying, “When the has since expanded its scope of business and to Japanese companies producing plastics, had been initiated. Although some plants have waters reached this place, I urged the employees Top: After the waters receded, only in 2010 made a renewed start by consolidating aluminum casting, electronic components, resumed operations, they are nowhere near to evacuate, but many of them remained behind scattered rubble remained. its subsidiaries in that country with the aim semiconductors, communications equipment, “full-scale production.” to prevent the waters from coming in. While I felt Bottom: All of the plant employees A banner for a bank advertises loans in came out to clean. support of reconstruction. of further accelerating its Asian business. We electronic clocks/watches, metal processing, disheartened to see the plant being inundated, I drove to the heavily damaged Nava Nakorn and the like, but most such companies had shut *11 Source: Japan External Trade Organization was delighted to see that everyone tried to protect (The three photos above were taken at the Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate.) Industrial Estate to see just what had happened down. The floodwaters reached Nava Nakorn (JETRO) the plant. Together with the employees, we are

32 33 working hard to restore the plant for the scheduled From a global perspective, Thailand is a hub for Executive Officer of Kubota Corporation) took the resumption of normal operations from April 2012.” manufacturers, with many supporting industries time to speak with us. in operation, such as suppliers of materials and The extent of flood damage did not end only parts. Once a downstream assembling plant ceases “When the industrial estate was flooded, the with the shutdown of production. In Thailand operations due to a disaster, materials and parts employees really worked hard to protect the alone, as many as 1.4 million farming houses manufacturers are forced to reduce or suspend their company, piling up sandbags all throughout the were affected. While it is indeed problematic that production, and the reverse holds true as well. This night. We also received generous support from they have been forced to temporarily suspend negative spiral has lasted for an extended period Kubota Japan, which set up a Countermeasures work while their farms are underwater, it is in Thailand amid the flood damage. We asked Headquarters and lost no time sending pumps, all the more troublesome that many of their Manager Takeshi Isonaga of SKC’s Purchasing a purification system using ceramic membrane agricultural machines have become unusable. Division about how they broke this impasse. filters, and other equipment, in addition to Fully committed to user support, SKC is visiting engineers. Also, Kubota Indonesia helped us with each customer for inspection and offering some “Before suffering damage from the floods, our engine production. I was really made aware of replacement parts for free. Manager Somsak suppliers requested that we take whatever they had the underlying strength of the Kubota Group. It Mauthorn of SKC’s Customer Service Division finished as soon as possible. So, we sent 10 trucks seems that the entire Thai community is concerned is taking the lead in this initiative. “We have many to receive 1,000 tires from a tire manufacturer. After that foreign manufacturers might relocate their customers who claim that ‘Kubota is family,’” says our place was inundated, some suppliers were plants to other countries, but for the sake of further Mauthorn. “For us, the customers are our family, kind enough to hire licensed divers to collect 1,400 developing farming in Thailand and our proud and so we wish to do everything that we can for molds from the water so that we could resume employees, I can assure you that SKC will remain at them. We offer 50% discounts on service parts, as production as soon as possible. For procurement Nava Nakorn, and we will continue to do our best.” well as labor and transportation for repair work of parts, we received emergency supplies from the free of charge. We are also distributing engine oil Machinery Procurement Headquarters in Japan Going forward, the supply chain will need to be Draining water at the Nava Nakorn Plant Water purification unit with power generator (FILCERA) and gaskets for horizontal engines free of charge.” and temporarily switched orders to a non-affected reconfigured in a way that disperses its inherent tire supplier, thus resuming the production of risks by allowing procurement of parts from Some dealers in the country were also affected by tractors and combine harvesters in a short amount neighboring countries when necessary. Director the floods, and the sales team is expected to support of time. Our mantra was “Connect the line!” I was Panuwat Triyangkulsri of the Ministry of Industry Revival of dealers and boost sales through promotions and made to realize the Thai suppliers’ indomitable says, “We expect that Japan will reinforce its Industry the like. Manager Somboon Chintanaphol claims spirit at the time of the great floods.” supply chain, which covers the whole of Southeast that this disaster reminded him of the strong ties Asia, including Thailand. As the economy goes SKC and Industrial with dealers, saying that, “Knowing the floodwaters Through concerted efforts, SKC employees increasingly global, a critical situation caused Estates—On the were approaching, our employees rushed to the struggled to protect the company from the floods, by disasters or other events in one country can Path to Recovery dealers to offer their support. One employee ran and they are still doing whatever they can to spread throughout the world. We will continue to A sign indicates a “Big Cleaning Day.” Water purified by FILCERA (left). to the dealers despite being personally affected by support the rehabilitation of users, dealers, and support the development of more stable production The water can be further purified to the disaster. We also received many encouraging every other member of their supply chains. The arrangements by dispersing risks.” drinking quality if the system is enhanced. messages and relief goods from dealers, which was driving force behind all of this is the Thai staff. Vice President Prajak Visuttakul of the Nava Nakorn Industrial Water very heartwarming indeed.” In other words, the local culture of “devotion to System Department indicates the level reached by the floodwaters. family and business partners” is empowering the These floods had an impact not only on the rehabilitation efforts. Taking the lead in combating SKC and Kubota Join Hands in Support of units with power generators (brand name: shipped from Toyama Port, Japan and arrived Japanese economy, but on the global economy as the emerging floods as Managing Director at *12 Tractor attachments that till land using tines Rehabilitation FILCERA), which supply industrial water for in Thailand in early December. They were well, as supply chains*13 were shattered into pieces. SKC, Masatoshi Kimata (now Senior Managing *13 A network of suppliers Donating Pumps with Engines and Water use in cleaning plants. Having been damaged then installed at the water purification plant Purification Systems by the floods, the water purification plant in the Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate to begin feeding industrial water to companies in the supply of industrial water—free of charge, of SKC and Kubota worked proactively to Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate had become course. Prajak Visuttakul, Vice President of the support efforts for rehabilitation from flood nonoperational. Informed of the situation, estate’s Industrial Water System Department, damage. One such program involved the Japanese employee Gen Takahashi, Senior told us about the state of things when the plant donation of 100 sets of pumps with diesel Manager of Kubota Corporation’s Strategy became flooded. “The peak of the inundation engines and 150 sets of pumps with gasoline Planning Office, happened upon the idea, was October 19, when the waters were about engines to the Thai Government for use in saying, “Industrial water is essential for any 180 cm deep. Now, we are busy cleaning and draining work. This was the brainchild of industrial estate. Also, after the floodwaters repairing the equipment to start feeding water Manager Chamornwut Tamnarnchit of SKC’s have receded, water will be needed for cleaning again. I am sure that the industrial water made SKC Nava Nakorn Plant SKC Amata Nakorn Plant With the transfer of production from the Nava Marketing Division: “In addition to marketing the premises and machinery. I realized that the available by Kubota’s FILCERA units will Nakorn Plant, the Amata Nakorn Plant now in the field, I am also in charge of CSR*14. purification plant was affected and thus unable accelerate the reconstruction of this industrial produces rotary tillers. I asked myself what a business could do to to supply industrial water. I thought seriously estate, and I cannot thank you enough for your fulfill its social responsibility in this time of about how we could provide support with our assistance. Going forward, we will bring to the Charnnarong Somboon Chamornwut disastrous flooding, and I hit upon the idea of technology, and I came up with the idea of attention of our government the things that we Wongvitavas Chintanaphol Tamnarnchit donating the sets of pumps. At the presentation donating FILCERA water purification units.” should do to control floods at industrial estates Manufacturing Headquarter Sales Division Manager, Marketing Division like ours, such as enclosure by high levees.” Deputy General Manager, SKC Manager, SKC ceremony, we were honored by the presence SKC of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who However, time was a pressing issue. Because offered us words of gratitude. In the flooded FILCERA units are usually customized to Kubota hopes to meet water purification areas to the north of Bangkok, we transported customers’ individual specifications, it takes needs at industrial estates by spreading the Somsak Mauthorn Takeshi Isonaga Masatoshi Kimata residents on our tractors, and we also offered up to two months to assemble a unit; this time, word about FILCERA’s high mobility and Customer Service Division Purchasing Division Senior Managing Executive our tractors for removing rubble on the they needed to do so in approximately three capacity, as well as the importance of disaster Manager, SKC Manager, SKC Officer, Kubota Corporation premises of plants.” weeks. For flexible operation at the affected preparedness. Managing Director, SKC (at areas, the units also had to be compact and time of interview) Another donation from Kubota to the Thai mobile. As soon as they had been completed Government was a set of water purification in late November, ten FILCERA units were *14 Corporate Social Responsibility

34 35 The vast expanse of the Chao Phraya River. It often overflows to cause floods, but provides superior resources when successfully controlled.

Shifting to an Industrial Model That Achieves social infrastructure for flood control as they Harmony between Manufacturing and Farming retain water. If waters are controlled and put Prospects for Bilateral Relationships between to efficient use, industrial promotion will also Revival of Japan and Thailand benefit. It is true that the country needs to Industry address the issue of infrastructure improvement, SKC and Industrial Estates— According to the World Bank Office in Bangkok, but if Thailand begins to seek a brand new On the Path to Recovery flood damage is estimated at 1.4 trillion baht industrial model that “achieves harmony between (approximately 3.5 trillion yen), which is more manufacturing and farming” in addition to than 10% of Thailand’s GDP. Amid concerns its current role as a “food station in Asia,” it over the slowdown of the Thai economy, the may be able to show us the way toward setting National Economic and Social Development up “Asia as a food station of the world,” and Board (NESDB) of Thailand forecasts that their then toward “solutions to the world’s food GDP growth may be limited to 1.5% in 2011 problems.” When this becomes a reality, Kubota’s due to the severe floods, but that the economy business of building a bridge between farming would return to a recovery trajectory in 2012 and manufacturing should offer a fascinating to grow at a rate of 4.5% to 5.5%. In order to perspective on the “solution to food problems.” sustain this brisk economic growth, the task of “making the country flood-resistant” will be Coincidently, Japan and Thailand were both hit crucial, because the current nightmare haunting by natural disasters in the same year, taking the the country is a reduction in direct investments forms of an earthquake and flooding. Having from abroad as the flood’s impact still lingers. collided with these harsh realities, the two countries were given the opportunity to reconfirm Meanwhile, there is something else that must be bonds of mutual assistance. At the ceremony considered. Conventional belief would assert that celebrating the completion of JICA’s activities that industrializing (in other words, modernizing) was organized by the Thai Ministry of Industry, a country based on the model of developed high government officials from the two partner countries would lead emerging countries to countries showed appreciation for the mutual affluence. However, Thailand offers the potential support activities. On that occasion, Thai Minister for development through a symbiosis between of Industry Dr. Wannarat Channukul said to the Top: The pride of Japan—Drain pump vehicles on manufacturing and farming, rather than a members of the emergency team, “You are our display at a ceremony to celebrate the completion relationship of opposition. In recent years, the true friends. Please visit us here in Thailand again of JICA’s activities, sponsored by the Thai Ministry of Industry farming industry in Thailand has been seeking as if it were your second home.” Looking beyond Bottom: A firm handshake between Japanese further intensification for the sake of higher land the relationships between the two countries, as Ambassador Kojima and Thai Minister of Industry productivity and environmental conservation. people and technology come and go freely, it is Dr. Wannarat Channukul What propels this initiative is the greater use of expected that Japanese companies will advance agricultural machinery as a result of industrial to become “glocal” (“global + local”) entities and development. Furthermore, farmlands are not new industrial models will be created in Thailand simply food-producing areas, but also serve as for the whole world to share.

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