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Home , World Environment Day

CONTENTS

Global 500 Award Ceremony on World Environment Day in 1 The Basic Plan for Environmental Research and Technology 2 Update on Global News from the Warming Prevention 3 New Guidelines for Household Appliances Environment Agency 4 Annual White Paper on the Environment 1999 5 Vol. 4 No. 3 September 1999 Crested Ibis Chick Hatches 6 Public Participates in Survey on Aquatic Organisms 6 Global 500 Award Ceremony on World Environment Wetland News: New Anatidae Network, Day in Tokyo New Ramsar Site 7 Revised Wildlife Protection and On 5 World Environment Day, the Ceremony of Global 500 Award Hunting Law 7 was held in Tokyo, Japan under the joint sponsorship of the Japanese Government, United Better Automobile Fuel Quality 7 Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Second Report on Global 500 Japan Network. In the Ceremony, seventeen individuals and organizations from Dioxin Emission around the world were newly inducted into the Global 500 Roll of Honour by UNEP. With Reductions 8 Events 8 the attendance of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, about 500 people, including diplomats and leaders of various fields, attended the awards ceremony. World Environment Day was established by the 27th United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to commemorate the commencement of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment ( Conference) in the same year. During that conference, Japan proposed the creation of “World Environment Week,” which would start with the anniversary of the opening day of the conference, 5 June. In this way “World Environment Day” was established. (cont’d pg.2, Global 500 Award)

Kunugihara sisters Mizuki and Mizue receiving the Global 500 certificate on behalf of Junior Eco-Club from Minister Kenji Manabe of the Environment Agency

1 (from pg.1, Global 500 Award) UNEP holds international able development. The title of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, World Environment Day award is derived from the original Municipal government of Minato- celebrations every year around 5 plan of commending five hundred ku, and AEON Group June to promote worldwide individuals and organizations Environment Foundation held the awareness of the environment and during the five years from 1987 to Junior Eco-Club Asia-Pacific environmentally-oriented actions 1991. It was later decided to con- Conference 1999 at the Akasaka on a global scale. The Japanese tinue the awards even after 1991. City Center in Tokyo on 5 and 6 Government has designated June Including this year’s laureates, June. This conference was one of of each year as Environment there have been 687 individuals the side events of the World Month, and nationally- and and organizations to receive this Environment Day celebrations. locally-based events such as Eco- Award. Japanese recipients of the 350 members of the Junior Life Fair and Low-emission Vehicle 1999 Global 500 awards are two Eco-Club in Japan and 16 Fair take place. This year, Japan individuals (Dr. M. Numata and delegates from , Korea, hosts the main celebrations and Prof. M. Tanaka) and two Malaysia, Fiji, Philippines, Sri the Environment Agency has given organizations (Global Environ- Lanka, Thailand and the U.S. Environment Month a place as mental Action and Toyota Motor joined the “Kid’s Conference” on part of the World Environment Corporation) in adult category and . Posters from Day celebrations. one organization (Junior Eco-Club) members of Junior Eco-Clubs, The Global 500 Award is in youth category. pictures sent from children in Asia, granted by UNEP to individuals or and panels showing ecological organizations in recognition of activities from all over the world outstanding achievements in the Junior Eco-Club Asia-Pacific were presented at Akasaka City protection and improvement of the Conference Center. environment, which in turn form the basis for the pursuit of sustain- Environment Agency of Japan,

The Basic Plan for Environmental Research and Technology

On 26 July, based on development in Japan during the categories: elucidation of the discussions of the Central next five years. mechanisms of environmental Environment Council, The basic principles behind the changes; evaluation of Environment Minister Kenji plan are that research and environmental impacts; and Manabe established the Basic Plan technology development should measures for managing the for Environmental Research and share the goals of solving environment. The plan explains Technology Development. environmental problems; react the details of action plans for Recognizing that environmental flexibly to changes in society and promoting comprehensive and research and technology the economy; maintain interdisciplinary studies, training development must provide one of interdisciplinary approach and specialists, raising funds, the most important intellectual international exchanges regarding establishing jointly used research assets in the next century, this outputs; and provide the basis for facilities, constructing information plan defines several principles, environmental businesses of the networks including data bases, and major study themes, and action future. Besides setting out these educating the public. plans to promote comprehensive principles, the plan submits major research and technology study themes under the following

2 Update on Global Warming Prevention

The Council of Ministers for 2. Progress in Implementation of (5) The government promoted the Global Environmental Conser- the Outline for Promotion of measures to increase sinks by vation and the Council of Efforts to Prevent Global Warming forest conservation and tree- Ministers on Measures to Arrest planting campaigns. Global Warming held a meeting on (1) The Law Concerning the 2 July 1999. The Councils were Promotion of Measures to (6) The government encouraged briefed on (GHG) Cope with Global Warming the research and development emissions in FY 1997, and came into force. The Basic of high performance industrial progress in implementation of the Policies Relating to Global furnaces and lighting systems, Outline for Promotion of Efforts Warming was approved at and super-efficient to Prevent Global Warming. Cabinet Meeting. The revised photovoltaics. Law Concerning the Rational 1. GHG emissions during FY 1997 Use of Energy strengthened the (7) The government decided to The total amount of GHG level of energy efficiency open the Secretariat of the emissions from Japan in FY 1997 standards for automobile, Asia-Pacific Network for was 1,381 million tons (CO2 home and business electrical Global Change Research (APN) equivalent), a figure which comes appliances, plants, offices, in Kobe. It entered into 20 from the sum of each GHG houses and buildings. contracts (243.3 billion yen) emission category multiplied by its with developing countries on global warming potential. The (2) The government promoted global warming amount was 8.5% higher than the ecologically friendly cars countermeasures concerning 1,273 million tons of the reference through the application of energy-saving and new and year 1990 prescribed in the Kyoto favorable taxes and . Protocol. Compared to the construction of methanol fuel previous fiscal year, it was 0.2% stations, improved traffic jams (8) The government promoted lower. The breakdown of major using traffic information discussion on the introduction emissions was as follows: systems, and reformed public of a daylight saving system transportation systems such as resulting in publication of a • Carbon dioxide emissions subways, trams, and barrier- report. It established a symbol were 1,231 million tons, an free ‘no-step’ buses. for global warming prevention, increase of 9.4% over 1990 and started the annual global levels, but a decrease of 0.4% (3) The government held nuclear warming prevention month. compared to the previous year. policy round-table conferences and provided benefits to areas (9) The government encouraged • Methane emissions were 1.4 where nuclear plants are the use of bicycles including a million tons, a 10% reduction located. In addition, the model project to allow bicycles compared to FY1990. government introduced 90,000 to be carried onto trains, and kw of photovoltaics, 20,000 the construction of bicycle • Nitrous oxide emissions were kw of wind power, and parking lots. In addition, it 66,000 tons, a 14% increase 950,000 kw of power promoted the use of compared to FY 1990. generation from burning waste. photovoltaic facilities in school facilities. • Potential emissions of (4) As for three substitute hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chlorofluorocarbon gases, the (10) The government took perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and government took initiatives to initiatives to construct sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) were support the efforts of the environmentally conscious 13,500 tons (an 18.4% private sector in phasing out of buildings, the wearing of increase over 1996), 2,200 these substances in a planned lighter clothing in summer, tons (no change) and 2,100 manner, develop alternatives, and ‘no-car days’ in order to tons (no change), respectively. and conduct experiments to promote an environment- break down these gases. conscious lifestyle.

3 New Guidelines for Household Appliances Recycling

Japan has just released new product information which can raising awareness and guidelines to reduce the promote long-term use. promoting cooperation. environmental impact of household electrical appliances, (3) Manufacturers should improve 2. Recycling complementing a new related law product durability and provide on recycling. maintenance systems. (1) The basic idea is to make On 23 June 1999 the efforts to recycle more “Guidelines for Collection, (4) The national and local materials and parts. Even when Transportation and Recycling of governments should support heat recovery is the alternative Specified Household Appliances,” consumers, retailers, and because of technical difficulties which complement the Specified manufacturers by promoting or costs of recycling, the Household Electrical Appliances research and development and manufacturers should avoid Recycling Law hereinafter referred furnishing information. causing environmental damage. to as the Electrical Appliances Recycling Law. The Guidelines III. COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION, (2) Efforts should be made for were jointly released by the AND RECYCLING better recovery of metals such Environment Agency, Ministry of as iron, aluminum, copper, lead Health and Welfare, and Ministry 1. Collection and Transportation in printed circuit boards, and of International Trade and glass in television tubes. Industry. The gist of the guidelines (1) Instead of just throwing away is as follows. unneeded electrical appliances, (3) Efforts should be made to consumers should bring them improve sorting I. BASIC POLICY DIRECTION to retailers. Moreover, they technology, increase the kinds The ultimate goal of the should be aware of the costs of of recyclable available, Electrical Appliances Recycling collection, transportation and and construct more recycling Law is to establish a socio- re-merchandising, and about facilities. economic system with the collection process itself. environmentally sound material (4) The collection system for CFC cycles. To realize the goal, the (2) Retailers should avoid allowing refrigerants should be made Guidelines aim to transform the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to more effective. New technology current system biased towards the escape from the used electrical and more facilities are needed mass disposal of waste into a new appliances. In addition, they for the recovery and one that pays attention to reducing should give accurate and destruction of CFCs used for waste and reusing resources at reliable information about the thermal insulation. each stage of the cycle, from costs of collection and development and production to transportation. (5) Manufacturers should conduct consumption and disposal of the proper recycling of goods. (3) Manufacturers should set up electrical appliances, establish stations for picking up the used an adequate number of II. REDUCING WASTE electrical appliances. In recycling facilities, develop addition, they should release environment-friendly products (1) Users, including consumers and full information on costs. and designs, provide businesses, should use electrical information about recycling, appliances as long as possible. (4) The national and local and construct a system to governments should support collect recycling fees directly (2) Retailers should provide the above efforts through from consumers.

4 (6) Material suppliers should production, distribution, use, retailers back to manufactures. develop and supply more disposal, and recycling. In the revision of the Waste recyclable materials. Disposal and Public Cleansing Manufacturers that can use (3) Because the effective collection, Law, procedures to dispose of recycled materials are transportation, and recycling of household electrical appliances encouraged to use more the electrical appliances (air conditioners, TV sets, recycled materials. requires the wide acceptance of refrigerators, and washing the “waste-maker-pays” machines) prescribed by the (7) The national and local principle, the national Ministry of Health and Welfare governments should support government should make were updated. In addition, giving information on recycling efforts to gain public standards for the final disposal of and promoting technology understanding and support for these appliances were revised so development. the Electrical Appliances that before going to landfill Recycling Law. dumps, they should undergo IV. OTHER intermediate treatment to reclaim (1) The national and local reusable materials, etc. The governments should enhance Two Laws Revised to Promote Environment Agency is responsible citizens’ awareness to recognize Recycling and Resource Recovery for setting the final disposal the importance of recycling of standards. electrical appliances for Two laws were revised in May The Law Relating to the . 1999 in connection with the Prevention of Marine Specified Household Electrical and Maritime Disaster was also (2) Methodologies for life-cycle Appliances Recycling Law. These revised to require similar assessment (LCA) should be revisions were necessary in order intermediate treatment to that established, which take into to deal with recyclable materials noted above, when the specified account the environmental and products which are not under household electrical appliances are impact of the entire chain of that law, which focuses on route dumped at a disposal site from material circulation, including that used appliances from users via ships.

Annual White Paper on the Environment 1999

The white paper on is that everyone involved in the international community. It also environment, an annual report on current socio-economic system describes in detail the state of the environment for 1999 compiled by should make efforts with clear environment in Japan, covering a the Environment Agency, was goals in order to greet the 21st number of key environmental recently approved by the Diet. century as the “Century of the topics. The main subject of the white Environment”. The white paper *An English summary of paper this year is to consider poses challenge of achieving “Quality of the Environment in environmental policies for environmental conservation, and Japan 1999” is available from the for the describes how countermeasures for Office of Policy Planning and 21st century by reviewing the environmental problems should be Research of the Environment policies of this century. The basic taken in each sector, including Agency. idea underlined in the white paper business, individuals, and the

5 Crested Ibis Chick Hatches

The population of crested ibises in Japan increased by one with the recent hatching of Yu-Yu, a baby chick. The proud parents are You- You (male) and Yang-Yang (female), two crested ibises that were officially presented to Japan by China last November, and arrived at the Sado ‘Toki’ (crested ibis) Center in Japan on 30 January this year. At the center Chinese and Japanese experts have collaborated closely on handling and feeding the birds. Yang-Yang laid the first of four eggs on 22 Yu-Yu, baby April, and one hatched on 21 May. crested ibis on 28 June. Photo: Sado The name for the baby crested Toki Conservation ibis was chosen from among over Center. 11,000 suggestions from elementary school children all over You-You and Yang-Yang mean year. The Environment Agency Japan. A “godparent” certificate “excellence”, “friendship” and plans to continue cooperation with was given to 192 groups that had “ocean”, respectively. China, and hopes to help the suggested the winning name. The It is expected that the feathered crested ibis recover in the wild in Chinese characters for Yu-Yu, couple will lay eggs again next Japan in the future.

Public Participates in Survey on Aquatic Organisms

In June the Environment Agency by studying the organisms found similar surveys separately since released a report regarding surveys at a site in an effective, simple and 1984, the most recent survey was on aquatic organisms conducted in inexpensive way. Based on the done in cooperation. In order to FY 1997 and 1998, which provide results of the study, water quality eliminate slight differences in useful indicators of water quality. is classified into four categories: survey methodology, a study group This survey has been voluntarily good, fair, dirty, and very dirty. was set up to review indicator joined by the public since FY The latest survey results produced organisms and modify the scoring 1984. The number of participants relatively positive results, with methods of this survey in FY 1998. joining surveys by the 67% of sites being classed “good” The revised method will be used Environment Agency was 43,000 in 1997 and 71% in 1998. on a trial basis in FY 1999 and in 1997 at 3,987 sites and 53,000 In response to increasing brought fully into practice from in 1998 at 4,459 sites. Since participation, which reflects FY 2000. This newly revised aquatic organisms such as the growing public awareness, the method is expected to lead more mayfly and river crab reflect survey method was modified this people to participate and to multiple and long-term water time. Although the Environment enhance better environmental quality conditions, participants in Agency and Ministry of awareness. the survey can judge water quality Construction have conducted

6 Wetland News: New Anatidae Network, New Ramsar Site

The Anatidae Site Network in Pacific Waterbird Conservation people in order to ensure the long- the East Asian Flyway was Strategy supported by Japan and term conservation of migratory launched on 14 May during the Australia. The participating Anatidae populations and their 7th Conference of the Parties to countries are China, Japan, Korea, habitats. the Ramsar Convention on Mongolia, Philippines and . Regarding related topics, Wetlands held in Costa Rica. The Japan proposed the establishment Manko, a 58 hectare lake in Anatidae family includes ducks, of a network for habitat Okinawa, was added to the list of geese and swans, an important conservation for migratory Ramsar sites this year. This makes group of waterbirds that are Anatidae by inviting the countries Manko the 11th Ramsar site in ecologically dependent on located along the migratory Japan. A diploma was handed to wetlands. The Network is a flyways to work together. The aim the representatives of the local cooperative international program of the network is to exchange government on 15 May by Mr. coordinated by Wetlands information and to enhance Blasco, Secretary General of the International under the Asia- environmental awareness of local Ramsar Convention.

Revised Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law

A bill to amend Wildlife some species such as bears are and Management Planning System. Protection and Hunting Law decreasing in number, a trend The aim of the plans, which are passed the Diet on 10 June 1999 which may lead to extinction. For to be drawn up by prefectural and was promulgated on 16 June a harmonious coexistence between governments, is to stabilize local 1999. In recent years, wildlife in humans and wildlife, scientific and wildlife populations in the long Japan has suffered from effective wildlife protection term. If a local population of a population imbalances. Some programs are needed. Based on the wildlife species increases or species of wildlife such as deer and report submitted by the Nature decreases dramatically, prefectural wild boar are increasing in Conservation Council, the Wildlife governments are to make plans number, resulting in costs to the Protection and Hunting Law was and devise methods to conduct forestry industry and damage to revised, with the introduction of a population control and habitat ecosystems. On the other hand, Specified Wildlife Conservation management.

Better Automobile Fuel Quality

On 1 July, the Environment upper limit of the benzene content followed by a revision of the Agency notified an amendment of of gasoline will be 1% per unit of Ministerial Ordinance of the the quality standards for volume on and after 1 January Ministry of International Trade automobile fuels, which are based 2000. Benzene is regarded as a and Industry according to the Law on the Air Pollution Control Law, hazardous air pollutant, even on the Quality Control of Gasoline in order to improve the quality of though it is emitted only in small and Other Fuels. automobile fuels. The permissible quantity. This amendment was

7 Second Report on Dioxin Emission Reductions EVENTS In September 1998, the Working Group on Dioxin Emission Reductions began a study of measures needed to reduce the emissions of dioxins in Japan. In June 1999, the October working group completed its second report, which contains an inventory of sources of 13-15 The 2nd Session of ESCAP/Committee dioxin emissions and a compilation of measures needed to reduce these emissions. The on Environment first report of this working group, completed in May 1997, also included a dioxin and Natural Resources inventory. Development () Dioxin Emissions Inventory 25-Nov. 5 The 5th Session of the Conference of The “Basic Guidelines to Promote Countermeasures to Dioxins,” adopted on 30 May the Parties to 1997 at the Ministerial Council on Dioxins Policy, directed the government to complete a UNFCCC / the 11th Session of second dioxin emission inventory by June 1999. The Working Group on Dioxin Emission SBSTA/SBI of Reductions has accordingly completed a national inventory that incorporates new UNFCCC (Bonn) information obtained since its first dioxin inventory report was published in May 1997. November This second report estimates that the total annual emissions of dioxins in Japan for 14-17 Northeast Asian 1997 was within the range of 6,330 to 6,370 grams of Toxicity Equivalents (g-TEQ) and Conference on Environmental that the total annual emissions for 1998 was within the range of 2,900 to 2,940 g-TEQ. Cooperation (Maizuru, Japan) Measures Needed to Reduce Dioxin Emissions 15-26 The 3rd Session of the Conference of The second report found that the following measures are needed to reduce dioxin the Parties to CCD emission levels. (Recife, Brasil) • Full implementation of regulations and monitoring of dioxin emission reductions 29-Dec.1 OECD/Environ- mental Policy To reduce emissions of dioxins to the air, through implementation of the Air Committee (Paris) Pollution Control Law and Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law is important. December Regulations for waste incinerators and steel plant electrical furnaces should be strictly 9-11 International enforced. The levels of emission reductions should be monitored and quantified. The Symposium on Environmental national inventory should be revised each year. Endocrine • Promotion of emission reductions by unregulated sources Disruptors’99 This inventory includes both regulated (e.g. waste incinerators and electrical (Kobe, Japan) furnaces at steel works) and unregulated sources of dioxins. Among these unregulated sources, there are ones which have relatively large dioxin emission levels (e.g. small Year of 2000 waste incinerators and industrial sources like sintering processes at steel works). The February G8 reduction of emission levels at these sources should be emphasized. Based on the Environmental Futures Forum latest scientific knowledge and the emission survey results, the countermeasures for (Hayama, Japan)

dioxins discharged to water need further study. April G8 Environment • Measures for coplanar PCBs Ministers’ Meeting A national inventory of coplanar PCBs should be prepared by gathering scientific (Otsu, Japan) information, and collecting data. Besides dioxins, the reduction for coplanar PCBs May International Symposium 2000 on should be promoted. Groundwater, IAHR • Improving data reliability (Omiya, Japan) In order to ensure precise and reliable data, further study is needed to establish a system for quality control and quality assurance (QC/QA) of data by the third parties besides an in-house QC/QA at laboratories.

For more information about events and articles in JEQ please contact the Global Environment Department.

Japan ENVIRONMENT Quarterly Published by the Global Environment Department, Environment Agency 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8975 Japan Tel: +81-3-5521-8244 Fax: +81-3-3504-1634 E-mail: [email protected] Homepage: http://www.eic.or.jp

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