NTT DATA and Kubota Collaborate to Develop AI-Powered Water Pipeline Damage Prediction System

June 17, 2026 | Japan Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Satish Thiagarajan; hereinafter 'Japan TCS') announced its support in the development of Kubota Corporation's (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President and CEO: Shingo Hanada; hereinafter 'Kubota') 'AI-based Hazard Damage Prediction System' and 'Water Outage Area Prediction System'.

Kubota has developed a system that uses AI to predict damage to water pipelines caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes. In May 2025, the company began offering a service that predicts pipeline damage and water outage risks.

Traditionally, the methods used by water utilities to predict earthquake damage have been low in accuracy, often identifying a large number of pipelines as high-risk for damage.

Many water utilities are facing revenue declines due to population decrease, making it difficult to replace all high-risk pipelines identified by predictions with earthquake-resistant pipes. At the same time, there was a risk that truly dangerous pipelines might not be upgraded in time. To address this, Kubota has been working to improve the accuracy of damage prediction using AI.

Since October 2023, Japan TCS has continuously supported the development and system construction of Kubota's 'AI-based Hazard Damage Prediction System'. Japan TCS analyzed vast datasets provided by Kubota, including pipeline damage data from major earthquakes, experimental data on pipeline behavior during seismic events, and satellite data on pipeline distribution. The team extracted high-impact features and applied various machine learning techniques to enhance the predictive accuracy of the AI model.

Furthermore, by incorporating domain expertise from Kubota's specialists, Japan TCS built a computational system capable of digitally reproducing pipeline distribution and configurations. Additionally, the team developed a 'Water Outage Area Prediction System'. The new features generated by these systems have also contributed to improving the AI model's prediction accuracy.

Through its collaboration with Kubota on the development of AI systems for predicting pipeline damage and water outage areas during earthquakes, Japan TCS is contributing to the realization of disaster-resilient social infrastructure. Moving forward, the company will continue to combine data analytics and digital technologies to support rapid decision-making and efficient recovery in local communities, contributing to the creation of safer and more secure cities.

Masago Kaneko, Section Chief (Ph.D. in Engineering), Pipe Network Technology Department, Pipe Systems Division, Kubota Corporation, stated:

'Thanks to Japan TCS’s advanced analytical capabilities using AI, combined with our long-accumulated earthquake and pipeline damage data, we were able to develop a Hazard Damage AI Prediction System that enables higher-precision, pipe-by-pipe damage prediction compared to conventional methods. The most challenging aspect in building the prediction model was determining which data to use as features from the many variables correlated with damage. Japan TCS conducted hundreds to thousands of simulation trials, ultimately identifying the optimal combination of features for maximum prediction accuracy. However, given that earthquakes are natural phenomena, it is impossible to predict damage with 100% accuracy. Our current system does not perfectly replicate actual damage outcomes. We will continue refining the system to further improve prediction accuracy.'

Naohiro Emoto, Executive Managing Director and Head of Manufacturing, TSS, TTH & Consumer Goods Business Unit at Japan TCS, stated:

'Kubota is committed to contributing to society in the fields of food, water, and the environment, actively leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as big data and AI to accelerate decision-making and action. Global challenges related to food, water, and the environment are expected to intensify due to population growth and climate change. We will continue to flexibly and swiftly adapt to technological innovation and market changes, leveraging our globally cultivated data-driven intelligence, AI expertise, and manufacturing domain knowledge to support Kubota’s sustainable growth and competitive advantage.'

About Kubota Corporation

Founded in 1890 (Meiji 23) as a foundry manufacturer, Kubota responded to the public health crisis caused by cholera and other infectious diseases by pioneering the domestic production of cast iron water pipes, achieving Japan’s first mass production.

Inheriting the vision of founder Gonshiro Kubota—'Products that contribute to national development must be created with full dedication' and 'They must not only be technically superior but also beneficial to society'—Kubota has consistently addressed societal challenges of each era. This includes developing agricultural machinery in response to post-war food shortages, establishing sewage treatment and urban environmental infrastructure businesses during Japan’s period of high economic growth, and more.

Since the 2000s, Kubota has accelerated overseas expansion. In fiscal year 2025, overseas sales accounted for approximately 77% of total revenue. The company operates in over 150 countries and regions, providing solutions tailored to local climates and environmental conditions.

Today, Kubota integrates its business domains of 'food, water, and environment' into a unified framework, creating innovative solutions capable of addressing complex, interconnected global challenges through synergistic collaboration.

Kubota Corporation Corporate Website: https://www.kubota.co.jp

About Japan Tata Consultancy Services (Japan TCS)

Japan TCS delivers services and solutions across business, technology, and engineering by leveraging IT and digital technologies. Based on deep understanding of Japanese business practices and corporate strengths, Japan TCS has established its unique 'Japan-centric Delivery Model (JDM)', utilizing the proven expertise and track record of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to support Japanese clients.

With a total of 10,000 professional staff collaborating seamlessly across domestic Japanese locations and the 'Japan-centric Delivery Center (JDC)' in India, the company offers flexible scalability and robust capabilities to solve diverse business challenges. Guided by the vision of being a 'Gateway to Globalization' and a 'Catalyst for Technology-led Business Innovation', Japan TCS is committed to realizing its clients’ purposes through business growth and transformation.

For more information about Japan TCS, visit www.tcs.com/jp-ja.