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Topics of No.20 (September, 2024)
[Indonesia]
Fostering Industrial Development on Islands by Deploying a Fisheries Cold Chain
Oriental Consultants Global signed a memorandum of understanding with Makassar City in South Sulawesi Province and Hasanuddin University, Eastern Indonesia’s top academic institution, to collaborate on an island development initiative. This effort will deploy renewable energy-powered cold chain facilities on islands in the province to electrify and develop the fisheries industry.
A cold chain system maintains the freshness and safety of seafood and other perishable goods by maintaining low temperatures across the supply chain, from production to retailing. This project will enable the local production of ice that is vital to maintain freshness so high-quality fresh fish can reach markets, contributing to the islands’ industrial development.
In the initial phase, the project will assess changes in the routines of fishermen as a result of the availability of ice, secure better prices from implementing such Japanese techniques as bleeding fish, and decrease fish waste. With technical support from Kyuden Mirai Energy, Incorporated, a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., the project will foster carbon dioxide emissions reductions by employing renewable energy, mitigating marine pollution, and helping to conserve biodiversity.
Oriental Consultants Global forged close ties with South Sulawesi Province and Makassar City, including to help Hasanuddin University develop its Faculty of Engineering. This island project is the company’s first ESG investment initiative, seeking to address the challenges of islands, promote regional economic development, and help resolve food security issues and safeguard valuable marine resources.
The project heightens the corporate brand globally as a contributor to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals while bolstering its credentials with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. The project also enhances the company’s potential to capitalize on business opportunities in Indonesia.
The mayor (in the center) of Makassar City was one of the participants in the signing ceremony.
[Indonesia]
Improving educational facilities to develop talented individuals and foster industrial progress
Demand for human resources should outstrip training capacity in Indonesia as the nation steps up its industrialization, particularly in the fields of medicine and natural sciences.
It is against that backdrop that we prioritized assisting Gadjah Mada University. Established in 1949, this is Indonesia’s oldest national university and serves as an educational model. It has played a particularly important role in medicine and agriculture.
In recent years, Indonesia has focused on developing value-added industries. The university is also promoting the development of machinery and processed agricultural goods by conducting research with the private sector. Through its project with this institution, Oriental Consultants Group has endeavored to enhance educational standards and foster R&D and product development by upgrading lecture halls and research buildings and equipment. The firm supervised design and construction for facility improvements and equipment procurement from the project start in 2018 through its completion in 2023. It led numerous project packages to be successful, including the Faculty of Engineering’s main building, the auditorium, and the Vocational College main building. Following the completion of the Gajah Mada University Development Project, the firm received a letter of appreciation on December 8, 2023.
Oriental Consultants Group will continue to create conditions for providing equal educational opportunities for all young people through projects to improve educational facilities in developing countries while helping to cultivate talent and fostering economic development in those countries.
The Faculty of Engineering building was Indonesia’s first to employ a rubber damper seismic isolation structure.
Realizing Information and Communication Technology-Based Earthworks with a System Utilizing Building and Construction Information Modeling Data
The Iwate River and National Highway Office of the Tohoku Regional Development Bureau commissioned us to undertake a demonstration project as part of road improvements for the Mizusawa-Mashiro Section of the Mizusawa East Bypass on National Route 4. We employed the Earthwork Management System in collaboration with Itaya Construction Co., Ltd.
To date, companies have not used building and construction information modeling data created during design phases for 3D models in information and communication technology construction. Instead, they have created new models during construction phases, resulting in challenges with data integration between design and construction.
We addressed this issue by using the Earthwork Management System for road embankment construction. This approach reduced construction time by 90% compared to conventional methods and ensured the proper execution of the work. This was the first such initiative in Japan.
Similarly, collaborative demonstrations with Kanesugi-Kensetsu Inc. and Asanuma Corporation for two river excavation projects commissioned by the Arakawa Lower River Office of the Kanto Regional Development Bureau confirmed the effectiveness of our Earthwork Management System. These experiments further demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing BIM/CIM data from the design phase in ICT earthworks during construction.
Employee instructing about procedures with 3D models using the Earthwork Management System.
Supporting Comprehensive Private Sector Outsourcing for Road Infrastructure Maintenance and Bridge Management
Municipalities facing shortages of skilled engineers and other personnel encounter many challenges in maintaining road infrastructure. These challenges include deadline and schedule delays, declining quality, increased costs, and heavier workloads.
Oriental Consultants helps streamline municipal maintenance management through a customized Tawaramoto version of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism’s early contractor involvement system (see note below) and comprehensive privatized road infrastructure maintenance management.
A body comprising the client, designer, and contractor now makes decisions collectively. Another change has been a shift from individual orders to bulk orders under multi-year contracts.
This setup has greatly simplified ordering and reduced construction times through ongoing technical collaboration while also enhancing quality by applying consistent design principles and ensuring accurate decision-making.
Using suspended scaffolding during design and construction phases has reduced costs by around 29%. Also, sharing information on construction methods, materials, and procedures from engineers has helped compensate for a lack of experience among local contractors, contributing to their skill development.
We have also promoted the use of infrastructure management systems and information and communication technologies, validating the benefits of digital transformation.
Note: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism’s early contractor involvement system engages contractors during the design phase to finalize construction quantities and specifications before signing construction contracts. Contractors provide technical support for design under separate client contracts. This system clarifies construction techniques and specifications in advance and ensures that the same contractors execute the finalized designs, thereby shortening projects and saving money.
Bridge maintenance is a major challenge for municipalities. We address this issue by supporting the creation of comprehensive private-sector outsourcing frameworks.
[Philippines]
Health Assessment and Urgent Repair Work on the First Cebu-Mactan Bridge
The First Cebu-Mactan Bridge was completed in 1973, raising safety concerns about its structural integrity from the passage of time. The bridge is planned to be connected to the Mandaue Coastal Road in the future.
The challenge was to decide whether to build a new four-lane bridge while keeping the existing structure operational or to demolish it and build a six-lane bridge. As part of the New Mactan Bridge Construction Project Preparatory Survey and Detailed Design Survey, Oriental Consultants conducted a detailed condition survey of the existing bridge before proceeding with a feasibility study. The goal was to decide whether it would be possible to keep using the existing bridge when traffic growth necessitates lane expansion.
The survey reviewed maintenance records and conducted inspections to assess damage. The survey included close-up visual observations, sounding tests, and corrosion assessments of steel members, concrete piers, and the reinforced concrete deck slab.
The survey revealed a critical crack in the box section of the lower chord of a truss replaced following a ship collision. We carried out an emergency repair with bolt-fastened patch plates and provided technical guidance while supervising construction.
The Japan Society of Civil Engineers recognized this survey and repair effort by bestowing on us an Infrastructure Maintenance Award for fiscal 2023.
The 860-meter First Cebu-Mactan Bridge comprises a three-span continuous truss structure across the strait and steel girder bridge on both approach sections.
Improving Railway Station Building Safety and Efficiency through Inspections to Prevent Accidents from Falling Interior Materials
Asano Taiseikiso Engineering Co., Ltd., began inspecting private railway stations in 2004. It has built on its solid track record by expanding its client base, particularly in the Kanto region, providing inspection services to ensure the safety and security of passengers and railway personnel. This is important, as each year sees numerous minor incidents of objects falling off structures at railway stations.
While Japanese law mandates inspections of fire safety equipment and exterior walls at railway station buildings, there are no clear regulations for interior inspections. The company accordingly reviewed conventional assessment standards and proposed the introduction of new inspection criteria and techniques to address this issue.
One railway company adopting new standards in 2014 detected more than 10 times the number of issues compared with under the previous criteria. Tackling issues proactively significantly decreased the number of incidents involving falling objects.
Also, the company is developing technology that uses mixed reality, which overlays virtual elements onto the real world in real time through devices, to inspect station buildings. The aim is to further reduce accident risks and streamline inspections.
Asano Taiseikiso Engineering uses Microsoft’s mixed reality smart glasses to streamline fieldwork. This device displays inspection checklists and problem areas (tabs and ranges) to streamline on-site work.
Developing SmartCCBAT.AT, a 3D Design Support System for Underground Utility Conduits
Underground utility conduit projects install power and communication lines under roads to eliminate utility poles, contribute to safer and smoother traffic flows, and improve landscapes. The planning and design stages entail considerable time for consensus-building because these initiatives involve diverse stakeholders, including road administrators, such utility providers as power line managers and gas and water supply operators, police, road occupiers, and local residents.
Other challenges are unexpected obstacles or obstructions found during construction or additional requests from local residents. These factors make it very hard to ensure efficient planning, design, and construction.
To address these issues, ATEC Co., Ltd., developed an automated design system for underground utility conduits.
The system features a shortest route and alignment function to avoid buried utilities in 3D spaces and other obstructions, a route editing function for designers to specify turning points, an automatic conduit materials allocation function, and a drawing support function to generate longitudinal profiles, plan views, and other diagrams for design review and sharing.
The company is trialing this system on municipal projects and will continue to enhance the system based on results.
While underground conduits offer considerable benefits, it takes time to reach a consensus about their deployments.
SOCOCA Cloud-Based Mapping Service Proves Valuable in Earthquake Disaster Surveys and Documentation
The Oriental Consultants Group provided extensive on-site survey assistance following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day, 2024. Oriental Consultants was the first of several major construction consulting firms answering calls for assistance to arrive in the affected area. Our team started documenting damage along key local roads.
The team deployed SOCOCA, a cloud-based mapping service that group company Research & Solution Co., Ltd., developed. This system made it possible to view and share photos and information registered on the map, making it possible to monitor damage across the area in real time.
The system proved invaluable to stakeholders, including officials from the town of Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture. It is worth noting that after the arrival of the second wave of consulting firms, all subsequent surveys were through SOCOCA. This enabled seamless registration and sharing of information across different companies, for a swifter and more efficient disaster response.
This collaborative approach, through which leading construction consulting firms collectively conducted large-scale surveys and emergency responses for infrastructure damage, including roads, bridges, and water systems in a single municipality, was highly unusual.
SOCOCA offers exceptional potential for use in future disaster-affected areas.
SOCOCA contributed much to assessing quake damage in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture
[Côte d'Ivoire]
Resolving Urban Economic Issues with Elevated Intersections
Abidjan, the largest city in Côte d'Ivoire, is a economic and cultural hub whose influence extends across West Africa. The city’s transportation infrastructure has lagged ongoing growth through high-rise buildings and expanding urban areas, hampering economic growth.
A particularly pressing issue has been a key intersection of two major highways lined with factories and large shopping centers. The intersection is the city’s worst traffic bottleneck.
During a Prime Ministerial visit in 2014, the late Shinzo Abe promised President Alassane Ouattara that Japan would provide technical cooperation for a project to improve traffic at that intersection. The Japan International Cooperation Agency subsequently concluded a financial grant agreement with the Ivorian government. Oriental Consultants Global was tasked to supervise surveys, design, and construction for the project.
The first phase of the project improved traffic flow within the city by constructing two elevated bridges. The second phase saw a third bridge built above them for a multilevel result. The design minimized resident relocations by avoiding new land acquisitions and solely using the existing road space.
The first phase employed a continuous structure without joints, even for merging sections, for a sleek design. The President and Vice President attended ribbon-cutting ceremonies for both phases.
President Ouattara named the intersection the Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Friendship Shinzo Abe Intersection to recognize Japan’s technical support and the contributions of Mr. Abe.
The aesthetic design of the intersection’s center makes it an iconic feature of the city's infrastructure.
[Bangladesh]
Using Sesame Street Characters to Educate about Traffic Safety
Metropolitan Dhaka’s fast economic growth and population increases have exacerbated traffic congestion and accidents. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has long collected accident data as part of criminal investigations, to regulate traffic, and foster road safety awareness among drivers and the public. It has not collected sufficient comprehensive data on traffic accidents, however, making its measures less effective.
This situation prompted the launch of the Dhaka Road Safety Project to improve accident analysis and better regulate traffic, and provide public safety education and outreach. As part of this initiative, Oriental Consultants Global runs a traffic safety education and awareness program for children.
In 2023, senior officers from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police visited Japan to talk with the Chiba Prefectural Police and inspect children’s traffic parks in Tokyo and other facilities. They explored ways to incorporate Japan’s traffic safety education and awareness activities in their project.
In December that year, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Sesame Workshop Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding on educating about safety and awareness-raising for children. Oriental Consultants Global coordinated the signing. The agreement committed both parties to developing educational materials and organizing awareness events with popular Sesame Street characters. These endeavors encompass using printed materials, videos, road signs, and social media campaigns.
In February 2024, a traffic safety character show in Dhaka provided a fun and engaging opportunity for children to learn about importance of road safety. The project will keep helping to reduce the number of traffic accidents and fatalities in metropolitan Dhaka.
Sisimpur, the Bangladeshi name of a Sesame Street muppet, explains road safety concepts.
Maebashi Akagi Roadside Station Private Finance Initiative to Greatly Benefit Region
The Maebashi Akagi Roadside Station represented the first instance in Japan of choosing a business operator from the basic planning stage and having that operator oversee design, construction, and operations.
The selection of Oriental Consultants as the operator reflected its excellent track record, including managing Shikishima Park, which is Gunma Prefecture’s largest sports facility, and Maebashi’s Luna Park for children since 2014.
To push the roadside station project forward, Oriental Gunma Co., Ltd., collaborated with local construction company Yamato Inc. to establish Road Station Maebashijobu as a special-purpose company. By participating from the planning stage, they leveraged their expertise to develop operationally efficient facilities.
Once completed, the facility was donated to Maebashi City. Road Station Maebashijobu is managing and operating it for 15 years. The site became operational in March 2023. It welcomed around 4 million visitors in its first year, far exceeding initial expectations. This success demonstrated the significant economic benefits of roadside stations.
To maintain its reputation as Japan’s most popular roadside station, the facility will continue to operate as a hub for goods, experiences, and people.
The Maebashi Akagi Roadside Station is just over seven hectares, making it one of the largest such facilities in Japan.
Establishing and Operating Office Cloud 9 Workation Facility within Nanki Shirahama Airport Park
Even before the pandemic, Wakayama Prefecture sought to attract IT companies and popularize workation programs. It accordingly solicited proposals for developing and operating an office within the Nanki Shirahama Airport Park.
In March 2020, Oriental Consultants and local company Asakawagumi Co., Ltd., signed a basic agreement with Wakayama Prefecture and the town of Shirahama. Oriental Consultants handled design, while Asakawagumi oversaw construction of the facility, which was completed in September 2022.
The facility, named Office Cloud 9, features rental office spaces and a coworking area. It aspires to inspire users to pursue bright tomorrows. While the primary users are businesses and professionals from outside the prefecture, the facility also wants to be valuable for the community. The facility accordingly undertakes community-focused initiatives. For example, it offers free access to certain areas for students preparing for exams and organizes stargazing evenings.
Oriental Consultants designed the facility to be carbon-neutral. It was the first in the south of Wakayama Prefecture region to obtain Nearly Zero-Energy Building certification. The facility can tap solar power during blackouts, helping raise awareness of the region’s environmental and disaster preparedness endeavors.
The roof design features a motif of Kumano Hongu Taisha, a World Heritage Site, to highlight the uniqueness of Shirahama.
[Indonesia]
Deploying a Cold Chain on Islands in Sulawesi
Islands in Indonesia’s Sulawesi Province lack daytime electricity. The fishing industry that sustains many residents was long without a cold chain to chill seafood and other fresh foods for distributing them fresh and safely. Oriental Consultants Global therefore planned a project to deploy renewables-powered cold chain facilities to remote islands in the province, promoting electrification and fisheries development. In May 2023, the company concluded an agreement with the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi Province and Hasanuddin University, eastern Indonesia’s top educational institution, to collaborate on the project.
In 2024, it held a groundbreaking ceremony. The attendees included people from Makassar Consulate Office, the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Indonesia Office, the local community, and other stakeholders. It is also endeavoring to obtain various business licenses, survey seafood sales outlets, and build supply chains to develop cold chain facilities. This approach harmonize with local industries to minimize downside impacts on existing markets in the region. This island project is the company’s first ESG investment initiative, and it aims to deploy such initiatives across Indonesia.
Islands without daytime electricity find it hard to obtain ice to keep fish fresh.
Helping Develop Renewable Energy by Unlocking the Potential of Geothermal Power Generation
Oita Geothermal Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Asano Taiseikiso Engineering, has developed renewable energy in Kyushu since its establishment in 2013. The company focuses on generating geothermal power. It began constructing power generation facilities in 2024. It looks to bring them online from 2027 after procuring equipment, completing construction, and conducting trial operations.
Before all this, Oita Geothermal Development began collaborating with Obayashi Corporation and Shimizu Corporation to conduct Japan’s first demonstration tests to produce hydrogen production with geothermal resources at the Noya No. 1 and No. 2 plants. Hydrogen is free of carbon dioxide emissions at the usage stage. It is a highly promising next-generation energy source in the drive to decarbonize the economy. Green hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide even during its production, and should contribute much to cutting emissions. Oita Geothermal Development groundbreaking project has attracted strong interest within its prefecture.
In recent years, that company has also focused on building disaster-resilient communities that tap green energy. It is conducting demonstration tests in the town of Kokonoe to support basic infrastructure employing a mobile energy storage system.
Oita Geothermal Development collaborated with the local community to excavate the geothermal well and surrounding land for this green hydrogen demonstration plant.
Creating Vibrant Community Spaces Centered on a City’s Local History Museum
In 2021, the city of Nonoichi in Ishikawa Prefecture commissioned Oriental Consultants to draw up basic plans for Hokkoku Kaido urban development. This initiative aims to revitalize the old city center, once a flourishing post town, by boosting foot traffic and preserving and restoring traditional houses along the route.
As part of this effort, in April 2023 Chuo Sekkei Engineering Company Limited began operating and managing the Nonoichi City Furusato History Museum on behalf of the municipal government. The Oriental Consultants Group has collaborated in that initiative from planning through execution.
Since the facility operates with the city providing no management fees, the museum covers its operating costs with its own businesses. These include running a food and beverage operation and selling the local Shojo sake to remain financially viable and engage with the community.
Chuo Sekkei Engineering is collaborating with the Kanazawa Institute of Technology in using virtual reality technology to digitally preserve items at this museum and the city’s historical sites and heritage.
In the first phase of that endeavor, it is using the museum’s building to recreate scenes from life in the past, with avatars providing explanations. In the next phase, the company will develop a system that allows visitors to explore the city’s historical sites and heritage, using tablets with immersive videos to experience what the area once looked like.
The unique exterior of the Nonoichi City Furusato History Museum is eye-catchingly beautiful.
Developing a Fukushima Roadside Station App Providing Useful Real-Time Information
The Fukushima Roadside Station is near the Fukushima Ozaso Interchange. The area abounds in orchards that are major tourist attractions. The facility offers local specialties, including fresh produce and processed goods. Its food court hosts renowned local eateries that provide gourmet experiences that are exclusive to this location.
Traditionally, printed materials were the prime promotional tool, making it hard to deliver current information in real time. We accordingly leveraged Purari, Research & Solution’s information distribution platform, to develop and trial the Passport ENISHI Fukushima app.
The app’s diverse features include distributing coupons and brochures and analyzing data to evaluate user behavior. It also provides details about local specialties, restaurants, and nearby tourist attractions to make the visitor experience more fulfilling.
On top of that, the app provides timely updates on regional events and campaigns, which has driven repeat visitor growth while promoting tourism in the neighborhood. We will maintain the app, making it more functional and improving services with it.
The extensive use of locally sourced timber for the exterior gives the Fukushima Roadside Station a warm and inviting design.