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Environmental Policies in Japan: History, Present Status, and Challenges

Explore the history and evolution of environmental pollution and policies in Japan, including major pollution diseases, present environmental issues, and the government's approach to sustainability. Gain insights into the country's transition, challenges faced, and future perspectives. This webinar was held on October 16, 2014, and features Yasuhiro Kanda, Director of the Hyogo Prefectural Institute of Environmental Sciences.

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Environmental Policies in Japan: History, Present Status, and Challenges

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  1. Yasuhiro KANDA Director Hyogo Prefectural Institute of Environmental Sciences Hyogo Environmental Advancement Association Serbia Webinar: October 16, 2014 Environmental Policies in JapanPart 1: History

  2. Contents Part1. History of Environmental Pollution and Environmental Policies - Transition of Environmental Issues - Four Major Environmental Pollution Diseases - Pollution Diet, etc. Part2. Present Environmental Status and Environmental Policies - Global Warming -Biological Diversity - ３R（Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) - Environmental Pollution, etc.

  3. Transition of Environmental Issues 1868 The Meiji Restoration Modernization Policy of increasing wealth and military power 1940-45 World War Ⅱ War-damaged Reconstruction 1955-73 Rapid Economic Growth 1970 EXPO’70, Pollution Diet • The Earth Summit 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Accident Industrial Pollution Mining Industry, Heavy & Chemical Industries Industrial Pollution Petroleum Complex Urban/Lifestyle related Pollution Automobile, Wastewater from households, Waste Global Environmental Change, Sustainability

  4. Expanding Environmental Issues Global Warming, Biological Diversity, Radioactivity Waste, Wastewater from Household Industrial Pollution 7 types of pollution: Air, Water, Soil Noise, Vibration, Odor, Ground subsidence

  5. 1880s Mining Industry Pollution SOx Air pollution Water pollution Soil pollution Flood Health disturbance Agricultural product damage etc. Cu, Pb, SO4 Photo: Wikipedia Ashio Copper Mine Ashio Copper Mine Pollution Case: Origin of Environmental Pollution Besshi Copper Mine

  6. After WWⅡ (1945-) Industrialization and Four Major Pollution Diseases Niigata-Minamata Disease Itai-Itai Disease 3 Big Industrial Zones ComprehensiveNational Development Plan（Growth Pole Strategy）： 15 cities designated in 1962 5 zones designated in 1964 Photo: Amagasaki 21st century forest Keihin (Tokyo-Yokohama) Chukyo (Nagoya) Minamata Disease YokkaichiAsthma (Petro-complex) Hanshin (Osaka-Kobe)

  7. Minamata Disease Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by methyl mercury. It took years to identify the cause. 1932 Chisso started acetaldehyde production. • The discovery of an “ unknown disease” was • reported to a public health office. Pollution continued for 36 years. Food chain Bioaccumulation • .5 Chisso stopped acetaldehyde production. • .9 Government issued a unified view that the cause of the disease is methyl mercury contained in wastewater from the factory. Photo: Minamata Disease Municipal Museum 1969 Lawsuit for damages was filed against Chisso.

  8. Yokkaichi Asthma Sulfur oxide from a petrochemical complex caused severe smog, resulting in severe cases of bronchial asthma among the local inhabitants. 1959 The 1st complex area started full operation. 1960.3 Notice on stinking fish 1960.8 City of Yokkaichi set a committee on environmental pollution. 1960.12 Mie prefecture set a committee on water pollution. • Community association conducted a questionnaire • survey and proposed a medical aid system to City • of Yokkaichi. 1963 A group of fisherman rose in a riot. 1964 Became a designated area of the smoke and soot law • Lawsuit for damages was filed against 6 companies. • Thefirst lawsuit on air pollution. Photo: Yokkaichi City

  9. PollutionDiet in 1970 In 1970, - EXPO’70 was held in Osaka - Photochemical smog victims emerged in Tokyo - National Diet (special legislative session) was held • At the Diet Session, • 14 Laws were enacted. • - Article on “Coordination between Economy and • Environment” was deleted. Photo: Wiki 6 Laws newly enacted: Water Pollution Control Law, Waste Management Law, etc. 8 Laws revised: Basic Law for Environmental Pollution, Air Pollution Control Law, Noise regulation Law, etc. In 1971, Environmental Agency was established.

  10. The Four Lawsuits around 1970 - Victims won the four lawsuits. - Japanese society changed to accept strict environmental regulation and standards, and to create a compensation system. However, regarding the Minamata disease lawsuits are continuing for certification of the disease.

  11. Trends of Environmental Quality SO2 NO2 CO 15 stations average 15 stations average 2 stations average 1978 1970 1975 1970 1968 1975 1965 1978 Non-conformance rate of hazardous materials in water 1978 BOD 1969 5 small river average 1975 BOD 1978 6 big river average 1971 Source: MOEJ Whitepaper

  12. New Comprehensive National Development Plan 1969- integrated national land arterial road construction plan Large Scale Development Projects were promoted. 7 block development plan “Plan for Remodeling the Japanese Archipelago 1972” accelerated the development. current status

  13. Conflicts between Public Transportation and the Environment Airport Photo: Wikipedia NOx PM Road Noise, Vibration Osaka Int’l Airport Lawsuits 1969-1981, Agreement in 1984 Shinkansen Super Express Photo: Hyogo pref. Route 43 Lawsuits 1976-1995 Compensation was accepted, but injunction was not accepted. Nagoya Shinkansen Lawsuits 1974-1985, Agreement in 1986 Photo: Wikipedia

  14. Towards Preventive Measures Environmental Impact Assessment: EIA Before the commencement of large-scale development projects such as the construction of roads, airports and power plants, project proponents must conduct preliminary surveys, forecasts, and evaluations on the potential environmental impact of the projects, and consult with local governments and citizens, etc. to obtain their opinions upon the assessment results.

  15. History of EIA • 1963-64 Citizens movement against Mishima- • Numazu Petrochemical Complex plan. • (Discussions over both sides’ EIA reports) • Cabinet admission on EIA • Each ministry in each way. • Transport Ministry: road, airport, port • Construction Ministry: landfill, dam • Industry Ministry: power station, etc. • (1973 Oil Shock, 1979 Second Oil Shock) • Cabinet decision on EIA • (1992 Earth Summit, 1993 Basic Environment Law) • 1997 EIA Law enacted • 2011 EIA Law (Revised to add SEA process, etc.) Critics say EIA is a pardoner or an excuse. Strong opposition blocked legislation.

  16. Major Events around 1992 International/National Trends Hyogo Trends • Brundtland Commission • “Our Common Future” • Concept of “Sustainable • Development” • Amagasaki Action on the Air • Pollution • PCB high-temperature • pyrolysis 1988 Ozone Layer Protection Law • EMECS Conference • (Environmental Management of • Enclosed Coastal Seas) 1992 Automobile NOx Law • Earth Summit • (UNCED in Rio de Janeiro) • Declaration on Environment • and Development, Agenda 21, • Conventions on GHG, • Bio-diversity 1993 Basic Environment Law (1967 Basic Law abolished) 1994 International EMECS Center 1994 Basic Environment Plan

  17. Environmental Management System In 1996, the International Organization for Standardization published the first edition of ISO 14001, the environmental management systems standard. Continuous Improvement EMS as a business strategy along with Quality Management System ISO9001 Action Plan In Japan, EA 21 is disseminated to SMEs. Check Do

  18. Information Disclosure of Companies: Environmental Report (CSR Report) Stakeholders Investor, Shareholder Input (Material, Energy) Institutional Investor Bank CompanyA Company C Securities Co. Company A Company B NGO/NPO Grading Organization Government Environmental Load Worker Consumer Value Chain Product/Service

  19. Information Disclosure of Companies: PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) How many tons of chemicals -Released to Air, Water, Soil -Transferred to Sewage, Disposal site per year. Citizens Risk Communication Companies Governments Source: MOEJ Chemical risk is evaluated by Hazard X Exposure Dose

  20. Major Events around 2000 International/National Trends Hyogo Trends 1999 APN Center in Kobe (Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research) • PRTR Law • Dioxin Law • Fundamental Law for • Establishing a Sound • Material Cycle Society • (2003 Fundamental Plan) 2001 Environment Agency becomes the Ministry of the Environment • IGES Kansai Research Center • (Institute for Global Environmental • Strategies) 2001 POPs Convention 2003 Hyogo Eco-town Plan 2003 Environmental Education Law • Kyoto Protocol comes into • effect. • Kyoto Target Achievement Plan

  21. 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake • Environment and Disaster Management • Rubble treatment • Environmental monitoring (asbestos, PCB, etc.) Photo: MOEJ Photo: Wikipedia • Radioactive material • Basic Environment Law, etc. were revised to include radioactive material.

  22. Conclusions • Environmental problems change according to the contents of economic development. • Environmental issues have expanded, which makes us deal with the issues “wide and shallow.” • Before environmental damage prevail, countermeasures should be taken as early as possible. • “Coordination between Environment and Economy” needs to be carefully examined. • “Regulatory measure” works effectively when polluter is identified. • Information disclosure is effective to change the attitudes of companies. • Japan has experienced environmental problems one by one, which made it possible to have time to deal with the problems.

  23. Tank You Very Much For Your Attentions.

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