NAVER CLOUD to Build a Digital Twin Technology–Based Disaster Prevention System in Partnership with a Japanese Local Government
NAVER CLOUD to Build a Digital Twin Technology–Based Disaster Prevention System in Partnership with a Japanese Local Government
NAVER CLOUD to Build a Digital Twin Technology–Based Disaster Prevention System in Partnership with a Japanese Local Government
- To collaborate with the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), Nagai City in Japan, NTT, and others to develop a flood disaster prevention system
- To participate and use drone imagery and 3D simulations for disaster prediction and real-time response as a core technology partner
- To establish an integrated disaster prevention system through cooperation between Korean and Japan companies and local government to respond to both normal and disaster situations
August 7, 2025
[Photo Caption] NAVER CLOUD signed a business agreement with Nagai City in Japan, NTT EAST, NTT e-Drone Technology, and K-water to strengthen regional disaster prevention efforts. (From left) Jang Byung-hoon, Head of the Water Environment Division at K-water; Shin Ji-hyun, Executive Director of Japan Business Development at NAVER CLOUD; Uchiya Shigeharu, Mayor of Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan; Yamaguchi Tadayuki, Deputy Minister of NTT East Business Development, and Takizawa Masahiro, CEO and President of NTT e-Drone Technology
NAVER CLOUD (CEO Kim Yu-won) announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan; NTT EAST; NTT e-Drone Technology; and K-water to build the region’s disaster prevention capacity using digital twin and drone technologies.
In Japan, the frequency and severity of natural disasters are rising because of global warming, compounded by labor shortages stemming from an aging population, creating a complex environment for disaster prevention. Nagai City, in particular, has faced repeated large-scale flooding damages during heavy rainfall because of the Mogami River and its tributaries running through the city, driving the continuous need for a precise and rapid response system.
The participating organizations plan to build a next-generation disaster prevention system in Nagai City that can predict natural disasters and monitor them in real time. As the core technology partner responsible for constructing the digital twin, NAVER CLOUD will use drone-captured data to create a high-precision 3D model of the city and integrate real-time information, such as water levels, rainfall amount, and snowfall amount, to provide a digital environment for comprehensive management and analyses of disaster situations.
The project will be carried out through an integrated collaboration system that leverages each organization’s expertise. K-water will provide water-related solutions, including flood prediction and simulations, while NTT e-Drone Technology will supply aerial imagery data. NTT EAST will oversee the project while supporting the development of disaster prevention infrastructure and wireless networks. Lastly, Nagai City will serve as the demonstration site, offering administrative data and cooperating to verify the system’s feasibility.
Building on this collaboration, the participating organizations plan to expand the usage scope of digital twin technology beyond disaster prevention to areas such as urban planning and foot traffic analyses. Through this, they aim to realize an “Always-Ready (Phase-Free)” urban system capable of responding effectively in both ordinary and emergency situations, and establish a sustainable model that enhances the local community’ safety and vitality.
“This disaster prevention system project was made possible thanks to NAVER CLOUD’s extensive global project experiences and proven technological capabilities. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our technology to address social issues and drive meaningful and innovative changes in partnership with our global partners,” said NAVER CLOUD CEO Kim Yu-won.
Meanwhile, NAVER CLOUD continues to make use of its technological approach to solve social issues. Last June, the company partnered with Japan’s Izumo City—an ultra-aged society—to launch “CLOVA CareCall,” an AI-based check-in call service for senior citizens living alone. The service places regular calls using AI to check on the citizens’ health conditions and, if any signs of abnormality are detected, immediately connects with the relevant agencies to respond, thereby helping bridge gaps in elder care. (/End)
