Adaptation to an increase in typhoon intensity and sea level rise by Japanese ports

In this chapter, the authors describe the most signifi cant consequences of a potential increase in typhoon strength and sea level rise to Japanese port infrastructure, though particular emphasis will be placed on the ports in Tokyo Bay (see Figure 9.1), given the disproportionate impact that they have on the country’s economy. Also, a rough economic analysis of the cost of raising port areas in Tokyo Bay will be outlined, which can serve to quantify the magnitude of this aspect of the problem. The Port of Tokyo alone is one of the largest in the Japan and the entire Pacifi c Ocean basin, with an annual capacity of around 100 million tonnes of cargo and 4.5 million TEUs,1 serving 32,000 ships a year and employing 30,000 employees.