The Transition of Tokyo Water Supply System: 1875-now

• In Event: Social Studies of Politics: State Affect? 2

Abstract

This paper examines the transition of Tokyo water supply in social context from 1875 to now and reveals how the idea about state shapes water supply system. Being different from previous studies, which use technological determinism or social constructivism, this paper adopts problem-solving approach provided by Thomas P. Hughes. This paper shows how Tokyo water supply solves urban problems and re-periodizes the history of transition into four periods according to problems that Tokyo faces. During the first period from 1875 to 1911, based on water quality surveys and experiments, Tokyo modernized water supply. In the second period from 1911 to 1947, Tokyo water supply kept the single system because of nationalism/statism. In the third period from 1947 to 1975, Tokyo faced water shortage. The central government intervened in this issue to enlarge Tokyo water system, which is unnecessary. After 1975, Tokyo water supply entered into diversification period and changed from top-down system to two-way system. By examining this case, we can see that, in the ‘care’ of nation, globalization, Tokyo initially established the modern/western and undemocratic water supply system, and then transited into the two-way and democratic system.

Author

• Aobo Ran, Tsinghua University