On August 18, 2025, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a groundbreaking initiative to transform the province’s sewage and waste management systems by adopting advanced Japanese technology. During her five-day visit to Japan, she toured Yokohama’s largest wastewater treatment plant, gaining insights into cutting-edge methods that could address Punjab’s pressing sanitation challenges.

Maryam Nawaz, inspired by Yokohama’s model, directed officials to integrate Japanese technology into Punjab’s waste management framework. Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, processes 1.5 million liters of wastewater daily, using automated systems to separate recyclable materials and convert waste into energy for local heating systems. This efficient model tackles environmental issues while promoting sustainable urban development. Punjab, grappling with untreated sewage and widespread solid waste, aims to replicate this success to curb waterborne diseases, urban flooding, and pollution-related outbreaks like cholera and dengue.

During her visit, the Chief Minister explored facilities in Asahi Ward and Hodogaya, learning about smart city planning, public transport, and environmental strategies. Discussions at Yokohama’s Town Hall focused on city-to-city cooperation, with plans to elevate Punjab’s infrastructure, including roads and buildings, to Japanese standards. Proposals also include a high-speed rail link between Lahore and Islamabad, alongside modern chairlift and air-cabin transport systems to boost tourism and urban mobility.