North South University

Assignment # 03
Topic: Environmental protection policy of japan

Faculty # AAR

Name: Md. Towhidul Islam

ID: 1410815020
Environmental protection policy of japan
During the 20 years after the establishment of the Environment Agency in 1971, the environmental
situation at the national and global levels has undergone substantial changes. At the national level, notable
achievements have been made in combating severe pollution during the period of high economic growth.
However, air pollution by nitrogen oxides in major urban areas and water pollution caused by household
effluent and waste disposal have continued to pose great problems. Furthermore, various development
projects, such as resorts, have created more threat to the natural environment.

On the other hand, concerns over global environmental issues, such as global warming, depletion of the
ozone layer, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, transboundary movement of acid rain, and hazardous
waste, etc., are mounting worldwide. In the years after the Earth Summit, many countries are being urged
to implement concrete actions and measures to realize sustainable development, which was agreed on at
the Earth Summit.

In Japan, the Basic Environment Law, which set out basic principles and directions for formulating
environmental policies, was enacted in November 1993. In December of the same year, the "National
Action Plan for Agenda 21" was submitted to the United Nations. In December 1994, an action plan
called "the Basic Environment Plan" is adopted. It was the most important measure introduced under the
Basic Environment Law. The plan systematically clarifies the measures to be taken by the national and
local governments, as well as actions to be carried out by citizens, businesses and private organizations by
the beginning of the 21st century. It also defines the roles of parties involved and the ways and means for
effectively pursuing environmental policies.

Moreover, the Environment Agency is proactively implementing supportive measures, including one
measure to support the UNEP International Environment Technology Center as a core organization for
appropriately transferring technology to enrich and reinforce the ODA system to realize sustainable
development in developing countries.

Japan is particularly interested in the Asia-Pacific region because of its proximity to Japan. Countries in
the region have been confronted with various problems because of population growth, poverty,
accelerated consumption of resources and energy due to lifestyle changes, deterioration of urban
environment, etc. To help overcome these problems, the Environment Agency is striving to preserve the
regional environmental integrity and promote intra-regional cooperation through dialogues on
environmental policies at the Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (Eco-Asia).

Environmental problems today are a common challenge to us all. They range from direct daily concerns
to global issues, even affecting future generations to come. Due to the cumulative effects of individual
environmental problems and the great impact they can have on the earth-our base for survival, it is vital
for central and local governments, enterprises and individuals to cooperate and coordinate actions, both
on the international and domestic levels, to effectively respond to these issues.In order to regulate
effluents discharged by factories and other establishments, the Water Pollution Control Law was
legislated in 1970 ( Note 8 ). Also, in order to impose more stringent regulations in the Seto Inland Sea
areas where pollution was more serious, the Interim Law for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto
Inland Sea was legislated in 1973. The Seto Inland Sea is the body of water located between the main
island of Honshu and the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, which, at the time, needed special measures to
limit the total amount of pollutants. The interim law became permanent in 1978. In order to reduce
pollution in lakes such as Lake Biwa, which provides water for many people including those living in
Kyoto and Osaka, the Law Concerning Special Measures for the Conservation of Lake Water Quality was
legislated in 1984.The central government and local governments cooperate closely to protect water
quality in accordance with the three laws (Water Pollution Control Law, Law Concerning Special
Measures for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea, Law Concerning Special Measures
for Conservation of Lake Water Quality). The laws have many provisions, among which are regulations
covering the level of pollutants in effluents. Most of the regulatory administration is carried out by local
governments. Local governments can establish regulations that are more stringent than the national
regulations. Under the Water Pollution Control Law, the MOE sets standards for effluents from factories
and other commercial facilities that discharge wastewater into public waters such as seas, rivers, and
lakes.

There are two categories for effluent standards. One category is related to the protection of human health
and includes standards on pollutants such as mercury and cadmium, which can cause diseases. Another is
related to the protection of the living environment and includes standards such as Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), which are indicators of water quality for organic
contamination. High levels of organic contamination can cause a shortage of oxygen in the water. This
category also includes nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as fertilizers to increase the growth of
undesirable plankton and algae.

Stricter standards are applied to some areas. For example, total volumes of some pollutants are regulated,
in addition to the densities, in Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay, and the Seto Inland Sea. Also, local governments in
some areas set effluent standards to be stricter than the uniform national standards.

Those who manage factories and other commercial facilities which discharge effluents are obliged to
measure the pollution level of the effluents and keep records of the measurements in accordance with the
order issued by the MOE. The Minister of the Environment, prefectural governors, and mayors of
designated cities request reports from factories and other commercial facilities on their effluents, and
conduct on-site inspections when necessary. If it is found that any effluent violates the standards,
punishment may be enforced. Also, an order may be issued to modify the construction of the facility or
the method of wastewater treatment.

Regulations are effective only when proper enforcement is carried out. In order to ensure proper
enforcement, the MOE surveys the enforcement of all three laws, and publicizes the results. In FY2011,
the number of facilities subject to effluent control totaled 266,860, including 65,648 hotels, 30,280 car
washes, and 28,968 livestock farms. Of these facilities, 38,882 were subject to on-site inspections
resulting in 7,650 cases of administrative guidance. Twelve administrative orders were issued to improve
the situation, and eight infringeme