Mottainai: Creating a Sound Material-Cycle Society

VOL. 147 August 2020

MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY 6 12 Towards the Realization of a Sound A Luxury Hotel Recycling Food Material-Cycle Society Waste An interview with Sakita Yuko, journalist For more than twenty years, a famous and member of the Ministry of the hotel in Tokyo has been turning food Environment’s Central Environment waste from within the hotel into a Council. resource. 8 An Eco-Town Where Resources Are Reused and Recycled Kawasaki’s coastal area has become a leading Japanese “eco-town,” attracting attention both inside and outside Japan. 14 Protecting the Pacific Islands from Waste Features Japan has been supporting Pacific island countries in Oceania for many years through activities to improve waste management. 10 New Technology for Recycling Used Clothes A Japanese venture company has developed proprietary recycling technology for discarded clothes.

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PRIME MINISTER’S POLICY-RELATED NEWS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIARY A Smart Relationship with New Technology for the

Also Plastic Processing of Marine Plastic Waste

COPYRIGHT © 2020 CABINET OFFICE OF JAPAN WHERE TO FIND US The views expressed in this magazine by the interviewees Tokyo Narita Airport terminals 1 ● JR East Travel Service Center (Tokyo Narita Airport) ● JR Tokyo Station Tourist and contributors do not necessarily represent the views of Information Center ● Tokyo Tourist Information Center (Haneda Airport, Tokyo Metropolitan Government the Cabinet Office or the Government of Japan. No article Building, Keisei Ueno Station) ● Niigata Airport ● Chubu Centrair International Airport Tourist Information & or any part thereof may be reproduced without the express Service ● Kansai Tourist Information Center (Kansai Int’l Airport) ● Fukuoka Airport Tourist Information permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through a form available at: www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/mailform/inquiry.html

2 | highlighting japan ISSUE 147, AUGUST 2020

Theme for August: MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL- CYCLE SOCIETY

he 4th Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound 16 Material-Cycle Society Mottainai Grandma Active Around was announced by Japan’s the World T Ministry of the Environment in Mottainai Grandma is a popular picture book 2018, and initiatives under the series with a protagonist who communicates the importance of taking care of things. plan are continuing apace. In this month’s issue, we spotlight a few examples and reveal how 20 the traditional Japanese trait of The Joy of Fixing Toys The Japan Toy Hospital Association is an treasuring things, captured in organization made up of volunteers who the phrase mottainai, is always repair broken toys mostly for free. to the fore.

18 Kintsugi: The Healing Power of Pottery Repair A traditional repair method for pottery known as kintsugi is growing in popularity in Japan and overseas.

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MY WAY ENJOY DRINKING ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES New Ways to Wear Kimono The Sake of Fushimi, Made The Keep of Matsue Castle with Famous Waters

PRODUCTION The Japan Journal ON THE COVER MANAGING EDITOR Sawaji Osamu Illustration from the Mottainai Grandma series of books by Shinju Mariko. In EDITORS Alex Hendy, Chiba Hitoshi, Fujita Mao the accompanying text, the grandmother character tells the boy that the water EDITORIAL SUPPORT Kiura Eriko would say “Mottainai” (What a waste!) if he left the tap running. CONTRIBUTORS Kato Kyoko, Sasaki Takashi, Sato Kumiko, Umezawa Akira Courtesy of KODANSHA DESIGN Imai Mei, Okadome Hirofumi EDITORS’ NOTE Japanese names in this publication are written in Japanese order: family name first, personal name last.

August 2020 | 3 Prime Minister’s Diary

JAPAN-GERMANY LEADERS VIDEO TELECONFERENCE MEETING

n July 16,2020, Prime Min- ister of Japan Abe Shinzo Oheld a Japan-Germany leaders video teleconference meeting with H.E. Dr. Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Abe paid tribute to Ger- many’s success in containing the Japan-Germany Leaders Video Teleconference Meeting spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), adding that drugs. The two leaders confirmed tion in the Indo-Pacific region and “the international order is facing that they will also work together agreed to work together to revital- serious challenges as a result of on support for developing coun- ize German-Japanese relations, as the spread of COVID-19, and the tries, including the Sahel region in next year will mark not only the responsibility of Japan and Europe, Africa, and agreed on the impor- hosting of the Tokyo Olympics and with their shared universal values, tance of moving forward with Paralympics, but also the 160th is greater than ever.” the process of investigating and anniversary of Japan-Germany In response, Chancellor Merkel reforming the WHO. The two lead- relations. began by expressing her sympathy ers also discussed the impact of the The two leaders also discussed for the disastrous torrential rain COVID-19 outbreak on the global various regional situations. On in Japan, adding that “the inter- economy, mutually explained their the matter of North Korea, Prime national community is being chal- countries’ respective economic Minister Abe sought understand- lenged as never before by COVID- measures, and exchanged views ing and cooperation for the swift 19, and I hope that Japan and on the importance of increasing resolution of the abductions issue, Germany will cooperate with each investment in innovation in terms which is a top priority for Japan other. Japan’s efforts to combat of developing a highly secure and and obtained Chancellor Merkel’s COVID-19 have been very success- reliable information and communi- support. Both leaders affirmed ful, and I hope that Germany can cations infrastructure. that they would continue to work learn from Japan’s methods.” In relation to Germany’s assump- together closely on the issue. They Prime Minister Abe expressed tion of the Presidency of the EU, also exchanged views on the global his intent to contribute to the Prime Minister Abe expressed his implications of the US-Russia dia- development and distribution of expectations for Germany’s leader- logue on arms control. The two vaccines by means of the Access ship in holding the EU Presidency, leaders expressed concern about to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accel- suggesting that Europe is stronger the enactment of the national secu- erator, while Chancellor Merkel united, and the two leaders agreed rity law in Hong Kong, stating that stated that Germany, as holder of to work together for the success of it undermines Hong Kong’s auton- the EU Presidency, would work to the G7 Summit. The two leaders omy under the “One Country, Two secure vaccines and therapeutic also exchanged views on coopera- Systems” framework.

Photographs and text courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Cabinet Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan

4 | highlighting japan Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY

MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY

The 4th Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society was announced by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan in 2018, outlining integrated measures toward a sustainable society focusing on the 3Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle, as well as waste management, environmental restoration and international resource circulation. In this month’s issue, we take a look at a variety of public and private initiatives contributing to the realization of a sound material-cycle society. At the same time, we reveal the influence of the traditional Japanese trait of treasuring things, captured in the phrase mottainai, an expression of regret at the full value of something not being put to good use.

Photos: Courtesy of JEPLAN, INC. August 2020 | 5 Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY Towards the Realization of a Sound Material-Cycle Society

Sakita Yuko, A key point of the fundamental plan is the estab- journalist lishment of “Regional Circular and Ecologi- cal Spheres.” Regional Circular and Ecological Spheres is a concept by which regions can make use of their local resources, such as renewable resources and circulative resources, while taking into account regional characteristics and aiming for sustainable and active regional development. Although as far as possible, resources are circulated within individual regions, when that is difficult they are circulated in a wider area and regions supplement and support each other. Japan is currently going through a process of great change towards the realization of a sound material-cycle society. For example, from July this year charges were applied to plastic shopping bags across Japan. This is a chance for us citizens to reform our single-use lifestyle and carefully apan is now accelerating its work towards think about recycling and reducing plastic waste. achieving a sound material-cycle society. Companies, including large manufacturers and JSakita Yuko is a journalist who has led various small retailers, are also enthusiastically working NGO activities related to environmental issues on these efforts. One large beverages producer is and who serves as a member of the Central Envi- cooperating with small retailers that put bottle ronment Council, the Ministry of the Environ- collection boxes outside their stores to make new ment, Japan. We spoke to her about Japan’s work PET bottles using the bottles collected. in this area. In the energy field too, to date large electric power companies have supplied electricity to As a member of the Central Environment Coun- every corner of Japan, but in recent years, for cil, you were involved in the drafting of the 4th example, there are movements leading to regional Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Mate- vitalization by selling electricity created by power rial-Cycle Society (2018 Cabinet Decision). Could generation from biomass such as thinned wood, you please tell us about the plan’s key points and and waste products. Japan’s moves towards implementing a sound I feel that now there is a far greater awareness material-cycle society? of citizens, local governments, companies and

Photo: Sawaji Osamu

6 | highlighting japan central government working together towards a of nature such as food or useful items. From long sustainable sound material-cycle society. ago Japan has had a culture of carefully taking care of things. An example of something that typifies Could you give some examples of that increased that culture, you might say, is the furoshiki, a sin- awareness, please? gle cloth that can be used to wrap various items. In one project, the approximately 5,000 gold, sil- Also, in order to make recycling widespread, ver and bronze medals for the Olympics and Para- it is important that when individual consum- lympics scheduled for Tokyo next summer will be ers throw garbage away they first separate it into made with metals recovered from various small different resources as carefully as possible. That used electrical appliances and devices, such as behavior is well established in Japan and highly mobile phones. The various usable metals con- praised around the world. I think that this behav- tained in discarded electrical devices are valuable, ior by Japanese people is deeply rooted in an and because it is possible to collect and reclaim awareness of mottainai. them as a resource, the discarded devices have been described as “urban mines.” The devices How can Japan contribute to the global realiza- have been collected by local governments, com- tion of sound material-cycle societies? panies, schools and others across Japan since As Asian countries experience rapid economic April 2017. It took two years for the metals needed development, the amount of waste is increasing for the medals to be successfully acquired. This and there is a need to quickly establish 3R tech- will be the first time in the history of the Olym- nology, systems and culture. I believe that Japan pics and Paralympics that all the medals are made can contribute to that in a wide variety of fields, from recycled metal. from cutting-edge science and technology, to The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are also activities that are rooted in people’s lifestyle, such planning to make use of renewable energy such as separating garbage or composting food waste. as solar power and hydrogen while implementing In 2009 the Regional 3R Forum in Asia was set the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle). Some exam- up: a Japanese government initiative to cooperate ples include reducing food loss and waste; reusing with UN organizations on promoting 3R in Asia, or recycling 99% of goods procured for the games; and involving governments, international orga- and recycling 100% of the paper utensils that are nizations, NGOs and others. It has now expanded used in restaurants in the Athletes’ Village, which to become the Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the for safety reasons are disposable. I expect hold- Pacific and intergovernmental meetings are held ing the Olympics and Paralympics in Japan to be almost every year. I am involved in a side event an opportunity to spread our efforts towards a called the Asia 3R Citizen’s Forum. NGOs from sound material-cycle society both inside Japan various countries present the situation and work and abroad. I am also involved in drawing up the being done in their countries and hold workshops sustainability plan of the games. to learn from each other’s efforts. Looking forward, I believe it will be ever more important for How do you think Japanese culture and customs the citizens of different countries to share their can be of benefit when working to realize a sound wisdom and experience. material-cycle society? In Japanese there is a word, mottainai, that Interview by SAWAJI OSAMU expresses our feeling of regret when we waste gifts

August 2020 | 7 Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY An Eco-Town Where Resources Are Reused and Recycled

The area covered by Kawasaki City’s Eco-town

A side effect of the rapid economic growth in Japan following World prevention ordinances. Thanks to War II was a worsening of pollution problems. In Kawasaki City, one these efforts, Kawasaki City was of Japan’s leading industrial cities, severe pollution issues developed, able gradually to overcome its pol- including air and water pollution. However, companies, citizens and lution issues. As a consequence, the municipality cooperated to work on overcoming the pollution. In Kawasaki steadily acquired exper- recent years, Kawasaki’s coastal area has become a leading Japanese tise in environmental technolo- “eco-town,” attracting attention both inside and outside Japan. i gies, mainly in the fields of air purification and waste disposal/ UMEZAWA AKIRA resource recovery. Now, the city hosts a cluster of around 400 awasaki City is an water pollution. research organizations and, along- industrial city in the To deal with these pollution side traditional manufacturing, prefecture of Kanagawa, issues, from the 1980s, compa- areas such as medical and welfare, which adjoins the Tokyo nies, citizens and the Kawasaki scientific research, and informa- Kmetropolitan area. It has a popula- City authorities have cooperated tion technology are turning into tion of approximately 1.5 million. on projects to improve the envi- significant growth industries. During Japan’s period of rapid eco- ronment. Companies actively Having started with pollution nomic growth from the 1950s to invested in anti-pollution mea- issues, Kawasaki City’s efforts to the 1970s, Kawasaki City became sures, developed technology to deal with environmental problems a core city in the Keihin Industrial prevent pollution, and trained are still evolving and developing. Area, which is mainly focused on technicians in relevant fields. Among these, the Eco-Town initia- industries such as oil, chemicals Citizens promoted environmental tive is attracting attention domes- and steel. The Keihin Industrial awareness. Meanwhile, Kawasaki tically and abroad. Area led Japan’s growth and devel- City’s efforts included putting in In 1997, Kawasaki City drew up opment, but at the same time place a relief system for victims a plan called the “Eco-Town Proj- rapid industrialization brought of pollution, signing agreements ect: Environment-Conscious Town about a severe degradation of with companies to prevent air Building” that applied to 2,800 the environment, such as air and pollution, and enacting pollution hectares of coastal land. It aimed for urban regeneration through i A town that reduces waste to zero by making use of all waste materials as raw materials in other fields harmony between environmental All photos: Courtesy of Kawasaki City

8 | highlighting japan The results of work to overcome pollution issues (photos from 1967 and 2010)

but also take place in facilities throughout the Eco-Town. These work to recycle and effectively use resources through cooperation 1967 2010 between neighboring facilities, including recycling facilities set up and industrial activities, and the Kawasaki City, meanwhile, is based on the Eco-Town plan, such Japanese government designated actively promoting the Kawasaki as cement manufacture that uses it the nation’s first Eco-Town Eco-Town project within Japan stainless steel waste products as region. From 1998, Kawasaki and abroad. raw material and ammonia manu- started full-fledged efforts to make Today, the plan has been real- facture that employs used plastic the Eco-Town a reality. ized and the Kawasaki coastal area as a raw material. A spokesperson for the Kawa- has become a leading Japanese Around 1,000 observers from saki International Economic eco-town. One of its most distinc- Japan and abroad visit the Kawa- Development Office describes the tive features is the building of saki Eco-Town each year. background to drawing up the relationships between companies “Many of the foreign visitors Kawasaki Eco-Town Project. located in the area through which come from Asia,” says the spokes- “The change of industrial struc- they make mutual use of waste person. “Some of the observers ture from heavy industry to infor- products and secondary products are leaders from regional cit- mation and service industries from their business activities. This ies in South Asia. They say that caused serious industrial hollowing really is an ideal zero-emission when they set up industrial zones out, and there were global environ- structure. Notable among these themselves, they intend to refer mental problems too. While facing is the Kawasaki Zero-Emission in particular to the Kawasaki City these issues, we conceived an idea Industrial Complex, which is based example. There are many similar to try and minimize environmen- on resource circulation and sav- cases among observers from other tal protection costs through using ing resources. This leading model countries too. I think that the tech- the environmental technology and facility for the Kawasaki Eco-Town nology and expertise collected by expertise we had accumulated, and is doing all it can to restrict waste Kawasaki City will be helpful to also switch to being a world-lead- and secondary products, while at countries and regions that enter ing industrial area.” the same time promoting reuse, periods of economic growth in the Kawasaki Eco-Town aims to resource recovery and circula- future.” build an economy and society tory use of energy. It attempts to Kawasaki City is speeding up based on circulating resources by minimize environmental burden; its efforts as an environmentally taking advantage of its local char- for example, by recycling types advanced city. In February 2020, acteristics and expertise in pro- of paper such as waterproof and the City issued a decarboniza- moting environmental industries thermal paper that are said to be tion declaration, which aims to and the recycling of waste prod- difficult to recycle, reusing water achieve zero carbon emissions by ucts. The Japanese government is within the industrial complex, and 2050. Moreover, it has held the supporting the initiative through making effective use of resources Kawasaki International Eco-Tech grants to the Kawasaki Eco-Town and energy. Fair in order to spread the word project. Companies have moved Also, these resource recovery of the Eco-Town’s achievements. ahead with setting up leading and circulatory reuse efforts are In these ways and more, Kawasaki resource recycling facilities and not limited to the Kawasaki Zero- City continues to strive to make a research and development bases. Emission Industrial Complex global contribution.

August 2020 | 9 Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY

Discarded clothing (left) and a new T-shirt (right) made using the polyester recycled from it

New Technology for Recycling Used Clothes All around the world, large quantities of clothes are proprietary technology and original ideas, JEPLAN discarded every year. However, efforts to recycle is committed to the recycling of the large amount of these clothes into resources have advanced poorly. fiber products that would otherwise be destined to A Japanese venture company has developed propri- be incinerated or put into a landfill. etary recycling technology for discarded clothes, When the venture company started in 2007, it was and is expanding its operations by successfully very small with two staff members only. They started producing bioethanol that can be used to fuel auto- by pursuing technology to create bioethanol from mobiles and recycled polyester that can be used for collected used clothes. Bioethanol is plant-derived making clothes. ethyl alcohol that is normally made from sugar cane, corn, waste wood and other biomass resources (bio- SASAKI TAKASHI logical resources). Mixed with gasoline, bioethanol is mainly used as fuel for automobiles. JEPLAN con- n Japan, nearly 1.7 million tons of fiber prod- ducted research in collaboration with Osaka Univer- ucts are discarded annually. Reportedly, most of sity, and by glycosylating and fermenting the cotton them are clothes. Few of these clothes are recy- fibers of used clothes, successfully recycled them cled into anything else, such as raw materials for into a fuel which can be used as an alternative to felt.I Most of the discarded fiber products are inciner- heavy oil. Furthermore, in 2017, JEPLAN developed a ated or put into landfills. The situation is similar in technology for recycling the polyester fibers in used Western countries. It is estimated that more than 90 clothes. By applying a chemical method for recy- million tons of waste is generated annually by the cling, JEPLAN succeeded in recycling used polyester global apparel industry. The figure is nearly twice as in a way that enabled it to be qualitatively equivalent large as the total amount of waste discarded annu- to a brand-new product. ally in Japan, about 43 million tons according to the Currently, JEPLAN is operating the project Ministry of the Environment in March 2020. With its “BRING,” a recycling business. This project invited All images: Courtesy of JEPLAN, INC.

10 | highlighting japan clothing distributors and other apparel companies to participate. Thanks to their cooperation, JEPLAN set Use Collect up about 2,000 collection points around the country collecting used clothes and other cast-off fiber products. The polyester in the clothes collected from consumers is recycled and then used to manufacture products such as the T-shirts that are sold under the BRING brand, and to supply apparel manufacturers with the recycled polyester. In the past, there was nothing that could be done with used clothes other than reusing them as clothes. However, the introduction of this recycling technology makes it possible for used clothes to be recycled into new clothes and be worn again and again. “Used clothes can be trans- Manufacture Chemical formed into new clothes.” That means, used clothes recycle* have been transformed into new recycling resources. According to Okita Aiko, a public relations repre- *for polyester fabrics sentative of JEPLAN, the BRING brand takes its name from consumers’ bringing goods for recycling. the car on bioethanol obtained from the clothes col- “A sound material-cycle society cannot be lected from event participants beforehand. The idea achieved by a single company alone. Cooperation for the event came from Iwamoto Michihiko, one of from many distributors and manufacturers is indis- the cofounders of JEPLAN and the current chairper- pensable. Gaining the involvement of consumers is son of the company. He watched the movie as a stu- the key to realizing a sound material-cycle society,” dent and had been very impressed by it, so he cher- says Okita. ished the idea of running a DeLorean on recycled The project BRING organizes many different biofuel since the company started up. events with the goal of engaging consumers and Go! DeLorean became a reality partly because of increasing their interest in recycling. “Go! DeLorean” cooperation from film distributors. The event was was held in 2015 to accomplish this. The DeLorean is covered by the media both domestically and inter- the car that was used to make the time machine in nationally, drew interest from many people, and the Back to the Future movies, that is fueled by raw in the three-month period running up to the event garbage and runs around space and time. On October collected more than 20 tons of clothes for recycling, 21, 2015, to imitate the movies, it was decided to run which is the amount of clothes normally collected by the company in one year. JEPLAN pursues overseas expansion of BRING through licensing, as well as by increasing the number of clothes collection points in Japan. For example, JEPLAN tested the project BRING operations in Lyon, the city at the heart of the fiber industry in France, in an effort to facilitate the project in collaboration with a local fiber organization. “Used clothes can be transformed into new clothes.” This new circle of clothes recycling is The “Go! DeLorean” event in 2015 expected to spread all over the world from Japan.

August 2020 | 11 Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY A Luxury Hotel Recycling Food Waste

Large-scale hotels are locations where vast quantities of food are prepared and consumed every day. For more than twenty The Main, the 40-story years, one large hotel in Tokyo has continued its on-site initia- Garden Tower, and the tives to turn food waste from within the hotel into a resource. Garden Court office building at Hotel New Otani Tokyo

enjoy various foods and drinks. heat from hotel boilers, etc. More KATO KYOKO However, 3,500 to 4,000 kilograms than 80% of food waste is water, of food waste are produced per and so the volume of dried food he Hotel New Otani day on average in the kitchens of waste is about 1/5 to 1/6 of what it (Tokyo), which opened these restaurants and bars within was before being dried. After let- in 1964, is known as a the hotel. At first, disposal of this ting it ferment in a fermenter for luxury hotel represent- food waste was the only option, one week, the waste is then trans- ingT Japan. Three buildings – The but hotel employees suggested ported to a specialty compost cen- Main, the 40-story Garden Tower, the food waste might be reused as ter in Tochigi Prefecture that pro- and the Garden Court office some sort of a resource, and this duces compost. There it is mixed building – have been built on the led the hotel to consider the idea. with sawdust and left to ferment approximately 70,000 m2 grounds, As a result, a compost plant was a second time, creating compost. formerly the site of a feudal lord’s installed on the hotel grounds in The completed compost is deliv- mansion, while preserving the 1999 that can process up to 5,000 ered to cooperating farmers. When large Japanese garden. With 1,479 kilograms of food waste per day, rice or vegetables that are organi- rooms, the hotel welcomes many and since then, has created a sys- cally grown or grown with reduced guests from within Japan and tem to reuse 100% of the food pesticide using this compost are abroad. waste as a resource. ready, they are bought by the hotel Within the expansive buildings The food waste extracted from and used mainly in the employee are 37 bars and restaurants, fea- hotel kitchens is dried that day at dining room. turing French, Japanese, Chinese, the compost plant with high tem- Kumaki Yoshio, head of the and other cuisines, and guests can perature vapors using exhaust hotel’s Facility Management All photos and images: Courtesy of Hotel New Otani Tokyo

12 | highlighting japan Compost plant (hotel) and compost center (Tochigi Prefecture) Department, says, “We have coop- Compost plant (hotel) erating farmers from eight farms using this food waste compost to grow produce. The risk is low for Food waste 100% farmers and the situation is reli- recycled (hotel) Compost able for us, as the volume of produce is determined by the yearly Chart of the Cycle of contract and is collected at a set Food Waste price, even when the crop yield Recycling isn’t so good.” Food waste recycling with a Original products (hotel) compost plant has been estab- Employees’ lished as a cyclical model project canteen (hotel) that doesn’t create a deficit. Rice Paddy • Contracted Farm Farmer “Our hotel features a wide vari- Harvest of safe and ety of functions, or put another delicious ingredients way, it is a mini-city model,” says The compost is used in the gardens, etc., and also by Kumaki. “In addition to food waste contracted farmers, and the hotel buys some of the produce grown by the farmers. This creates a cycle of recycling. recycling, there are also facilities to create drinking water from underground water on the hotel issues in improving the recycling continues, saying that it is impor- grounds, creating a water sup- rate and decreasing garbage are tant to widely communicate these ply for emergencies, for example. paper and waste plastic. He says initiatives moving forward. We are aiming to create a cyclical that they have begun experiment- “Protecting a garden of abun- community together with our cus- ing with dissolving shredded dant greenery and 400 years of tomers and also with our staff and paper waste and reprocessing it history, our hotel has made con- nearby residents.” into cardboard. Also, since July sideration for the environment a Currently, the recycling rate 2019, they have changed from principle since it opened. Moving of garbage at all buildings of the plastic-made straws to paper ones forward, we think it is important Hotel New Otani Tokyo is about 75 at all bars and restaurants within to communicate these efforts in to 76%, including the food waste the hotel, and they no longer pro- a way that is easy to understand recycling through the compost vide straws unless necessary after and to connect with the next plant. Kumaki says that the next checking with guests. Kumaki generation.”

An explanatory A basket of a sign alongside a contracted farmer’s contracted farmer’s produce rice paddy A basket of a contracted farmer’s produce

August 2020 | 13 3D-image of the M-Dock landfill site in Palau produced from a drone photo Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY

Protecting the Pacific Islands from Waste

The waste problem in Pacific island countries in waste is simply thrown into disposal sites without Oceania is becoming ever more serious. Japan separating waste by type, was common. However, has been supporting these islands for many years by this disposal method, problems emerged with through activities to improve waste management. an increase in waste, such as the occurrence of foul smells and methane gas, and the leakage of con- SAWAJI OSAMU taminated water (leachate) from waste into rivers and the ocean. JICA has been working on spread- ceania, an area of the Pacific Ocean dot- ing the technology of the Semi-aerobic Landfill ted by many small and large islands, is System, a method for managing waste that has a region bursting with beautiful nature been widely implemented in Japan. These landfills, and diverse cultures. However, in which employ a technology known as the “Fukuoka Orecent years, the type of waste has diversified and Method” as it was jointly developed in the 1970s the amount of waste has continued to increase in by the city of Fukuoka and Fukuoka University in Pacific island countries due to an increase in popu- Japan, have pipes throughout the disposal site, and lations and changes in residents’ lifestyles, such as through those pipes, waste water that seeps out from the popularization of plastic bags and bottles. The waste can be extracted. At the same time, outside growth of tourism has exacerbated the problem of air can be introduced into the landfill, activating the waste disposal. The waste is transported to landfills, microorganisms inside the waste and promoting its but securing new disposal sites is difficult for these decomposition. small island countries. How to process the increasing Nakamaru Shunsuke from Global Environment amount of waste has become a major common prob- Department, JICA says, “The Fukuoka Method can lem for these countries. reduce the occurrence of foul smells and methane The Japan International Cooperation Agency gas, and improve the quality of leachate through the (JICA) has been implementing initiatives to solve the acceleration of decomposition of waste. Moreover, waste problem for approximately twenty years in by improving the structure of disposal sites and con- Pacific island countries. One of these initiatives is the ducting the appropriate management, the lifespan of support for disposal site improvements. In Pacific the disposal site is extended. Also, materials that can island countries, open dumping, where collected be obtained locally, such as oil drums or old tires, are All photos: Courtesy of JICA

14 | highlighting japan used for the pipes, and the fact that they can be con- Container Deposit Legislation (CDL), where a deposit structed and maintained at a relatively low cost is a is paid by consumers when buying drinks and other big advantage.” goods in cans and plastic bottles, and then a part of Since introducing a Fukuoka Method disposal site the deposit is returned to consumers or waste col- in 2003 in the Independent State of Samoa as the first lection companies when the used containers are in a Pacific island country, this type of disposal site brought to a designated place. CDL was implemented has spread to other countries including the Republic in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (population: of Vanuatu and the Republic of Palau. approx. 58,000) in 2018, following its introduction Furthermore, JICA has been implementing in the Republic of Kiribati, the Federated States of the technical cooperation project “Promotion of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. Many peo- Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management ple including children and adults participated, and in Pacific Island Countries” (J-PRISM) since 2011 approximately 16 million cans, glass bottles and plas- (Phase 2 ongoing from 2017) in cooperation with tic bottles were collected in the span of a year in 2019. the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Drones have also been used for the project lately Programme (SPREP), a regional international orga- to take surveys of disposal sites for analysis. Previ- nization participated in by twenty-two countries ously, a site could only be observed from the ground, and regions in Oceania. J-PRISM fosters human and it was difficult to grasp the complete picture of resources, and creates and strengthens systems to the site. But with aerial photography, it has become solve the waste problem. Based on geographical possible to visualize the current state of a site and to characteristics unique to island countries and the more accurately analyze how many more years a site concept of “3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) + return,” can be used for. which aims to control inflow of products to the island Nakamaru says, “I’m glad that the cooperation countries, increase recycling in the island countries with Japan over about twenty years has contributed as much as possible, and maximize the return of to the development of human resources for waste waste to recycling markets outside the island coun- management and the improvement in people’s tries, J-PRISM is working to minimize the amount of awareness. Lately, a database of human resources final waste disposal. For example, as part of the fos- working for the waste management in each Pacific tering of human resources, J-PRISM carries out train- island country has been developed by J-PRISM, so ing in Japan and the island countries for administra- I’m sure that cooperation between countries will fur- tive officers of waste management and employees of ther progress as well.” recycling companies of each country to learn about Japan’s cooperation is connecting islands scat- waste management systems and initiatives for the tered across the ocean. 3Rs in the communities. The capacity of waste management of each country is thus improved by sharing 1 Aluminum cans collected through CDL in the Marshall Islands good practices and the lessons between counterparts 2 The Baruni Dump Site in the Independent State of Papua New in each country. Guinea where the Fukuoka Method is used 3 A waste management training course for Pacific islands-based J-PRISM also supports the introduction of experts in Okinawa, Japan

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August 2020 | 15 Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY

The JICA-backed Mottainai Grandma mobile showroom at a school in India

Mottainai Grandma Active Around the World

Mottainai Grandma is a picture book with an been translated and published in multiple languages, elderly protagonist who communicates the impor- are read by children in countries all over the world. tance of things. The stories are being enjoyed across In 2020, this Mottainai Grandma was jointly pro- the globe, with an anime dubbed into multiple lan- duced into an anime by Kodansha and the Minis- guages currently being broadcast online. try of the Environment, Japan. The four episodes, dubbed in Japanese, English, French, Spanish, Chi- SATO KUMIKO nese and Hindi, began streaming online on YouTube on June 5 – World Environment Day. hen a small child leaves food unfin- Doi Kentaro of the General Administration Divi- ished or goes to throw away some- sion, Environment Regeneration and Resources Recy- thing that can still be used, an elderly cling Bureau, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, woman appears, granting wisdom by says that, “The Mottainai Grandma picture books saying,W “Mottainai!” (“What a waste!”). That picture communicate the importance of limited resources book is Mottainai Grandma. and the grandeur of abundant nature while also fea- Picture book author Shinju Mariko created the turing stories that are friendly and easy to under- story to try and teach her own son about the mean- stand. We made the books into an anime so that even ing of “mottainai” and the importance of taking care more people could see them today, as environmental of things. This caught the attention of a publishing pollution becomes more serious all over the world.” company, and the story was published as a picture Impressed by the Japanese word “mottainai” book in 2004. The grandmother character (Mottainai when visiting Japan, the late Wangari Muta Maathai, Baasan in Japanese), who at first glance seems scary a Kenyan ecological activist who won the Nobel but is actually kind and full of love, became popular Peace Prize in 2004, tried to spread this untranslated among children, and there have been over one mil- word across the globe. Maathai felt that “mottai- lion copies published from among the seventeen nai” was a word that not only expressed the 3Rs of books in the series. The picture books, which have environmental protection activities – reduce, reuse, All photos and illustrations: Courtesy of KODANSHA

16 | highlighting japan Images from the Mottainai Grandma series (Japanese version). The book has been translated into several languages. recycle – but also a word that captured another R, “Through this project, the word ‘mottainai’ has infil- respect for irreplaceable earth resources. Maathai trated the children’s lives at the schools in India that then used the word as a slogan for the MOTTAINAI we visited. I once again felt the word ‘mottainai’ has campaign that she herself advocated for. power and that the spirit of the word can be shared The Mottainai Grandma series began in the first with the world.” book by teaching about taking care of things. How- The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a non-profit ever, the word “mottainai” also implies an under- established jointly by global chemical manufacturers standing of the importance of life, and the series aiming to solve the problem of waste plastic, cooper- went on to explore natural cycles and biodiversity, ated with the making of this anime, and seven com- and has expanded to cover themes related to global panies within Japan became partner companies. problems such as climate change, the extinction of Environmental problems are issues on a global organisms, and food shortages. scale that are connected to all human activity, In 2008, the Mottainai Grandma’s World Report including corporate activities and individual life- Exhibition was held to consider the connection styles. Mottainai Grandma kindly asks about these between our own lives and the various problems problems. occurring across the globe, and from this series of exhibitions, “Earth’s Problems and Children of the World” and “Vanishing Organisms” were exhibited at venues such as at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) in Nagoya or the UNICEF House in Tokyo. The exhibition introduced key messages of Mottainai Grandma, such as, “If we are not self-centered and share with each other, we can achieve world peace” and “All life is connected and each life is important.” As part of a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project, people have been going around India in a mobile showroom and read- ing Mottainai Grandma to children as part of their environmental education since 2016. Doi says that, Mottainai Grandma on tour in India

August 2020 | 17 Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY Kintsugi The Healing Power of Pottery Repair

In Japan, there is a traditional repair method known as kintsugi, where broken pieces of pottery are stuck back together with a Japa- nese lacquer (urushi), the joints are painted and decorated with gold or silver powder, and the pottery continues to be used. Now efforts are underway to spread this technique not just within Japan but overseas, as well.

KATO KYOKO A chawan bowl repaired using the kintsugi technique

n the sixteenth century in Japan, Sen no Rikyu which is treasured in the tea ceremony. It is an aes- perfected the traditional tea ceremony known thetic sense unique to Japan that finds spiritual rich- as chanoyu (or chado), a culture of hospital- ness in simplicity.” ity, and items integral to the tea ceremony In the world of chanoyu, the tea ceremony, some- developedI alongside it. One important item was times a perfect piece of pottery is even purposefully the chawan, a bowl held in the hand in the tea cer- broken and repaired. Then the pattern from the emony for the drinking of matcha tea. Chawan were cracks made through kintsugi is likened to a beauti- first imported from China and Korea, and came to ful scene from nature and enjoyed. be made in various regions in Japan. Some exqui- “The cracks in the pottery form a dramatic land- site antique chawan survive and are designated as scape. When the gold color is added along the joins national treasures today. However, no matter how of the broken parts, the lines look like lightning carefully these bowls were handled, over time some brightening the darkness, a golden-colored river, or a would break or chip. Kintsugi (literally, gold seams) branch reaching into the firmament. New scenes are is a traditional repair method that takes the broken thus born in the pottery.” or chipped parts of cherished vessels, glues them Nakamura, who has collected antiques since from back together with a Japanese lacquer, and paints when he was a child, encountered kintsugi in his the seams with gold or silver powder. Nakamura 30s. He interviewed a number of kintsugi artisans in Kunio, the owner of Rokujigen, a book café in Ogi- Japan as he was working as the director of a TV show kubo, Tokyo, that offers kintsugi workshops and at the time, and he learned about the techniques on other educational activities, says this about the ori- his own. gins of the technique. After the Great East Japan Earthquake that “Kintsugi has a beauty within the imperfection. occurred on March 11, 2011, demand for kintsugi This developed from a concept called wabi sabi increased. Nakamura hosted a workshop to repair All photos: Courtesy of Nakamura Kunio

18 | highlighting japan pottery that had been broken in disaster- stricken areas. The kintsugi technique, which beautifully brought back mementos of lost family members or pottery with special memories, also calmed the hearts of those who were wounded. Nakamura says he received a letter from a participant at one of his workshops that said of a repaired item, “It is not just the memento but also me myself that you healed.” While running the book café, Nakamura authors books related to kintsugi and old works of art and is involved in activities to popularize kintsugi 1 both in Japan and abroad as well as in support activities in disaster-stricken areas. However, the lacquer urushi used in the traditional kintsugi technique is an irritant to the skin, and as such it is quite difficult to use outside of Japan. So in Nakamura’s workshops, participated in even by enthu- siasts from abroad, they use a different plant-based resin and other safe materials. Nakamura says that he will spread kintsugi techniques that use fair trade materials that can be imported at fair prices and that have a minimal burden on the natural environment, and also use brushes made without 2 animal hair. There is a need to create a “new tradition,” he says. “Last year, a short film entitled Kintsugi was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in the United States, and there have been more and more students attending kintsugi classes,” says Nakamura. “I feel like the boom in kintsugi will accelerate going forward.” At the end of 2019, the Kintsugi Academy, based in Los Angeles, was opened in cooperation with a gallery in New York. Currently, lessons are offered online as a measure against COVID-19, but the Academy plans 3 to hold workshops, exhibitions, and more to further demonstrate the healing power of 1 Nakamura Kunio at work on a kintsugi repair job 2 A chawan bowl repaired using the kintsugi technique kintsugi to the world. 3 A kintsugi workshop hosted by Nakamura Kunio

August 2020 | 19 Feature MOTTAINAI: CREATING A SOUND MATERIAL-CYCLE SOCIETY

The Joy of

Doctors at work at the Tokyo Toy Hospital in Fixing Toys the Tokyo Toy Museum

Toy Hospitals, places where volunteer staff repair Course hosted by the Association across Japan to broken toys, are found all over Japan. Here, new life learn about the skills and techniques necessary for is breathed into the toys, bringing happiness to all. toy repair. These include how to use tools, measuring instruments and glue; damage diagnosis methods; SAWAJI OSAMU and how to make repairs based on that diagnosis. “When the broken toy works again, every doc- he Japan Toy Hospital Association is an tor experiences a great sense of fulfillment,” says organization made up of volunteers who Miura. “We also repair broken toys mostly for free. Cur- receive heartfelt grati- rently, about 650 Toy Hospitals belong to tude from the cus- theT Association, which was set up in 1996 with hos- tomer, so fixing toys pitals in children’s homes, libraries, toy stores and quickly becomes very other facilities nationwide. The Association has interesting.” about 1,700 “doctors” working on repairs. Some hospitals “A country with organized toy repair special- can fix upwards of ist volunteers is quite rare in the world,” says Miura fifty toys each day. Yasuo, the chairman of the Association. “The Japa- Many of the toys that nese trait of ‘taking care of things’ may be behind are brought in are that.” toy trains and plastic The toy doctors range in age from high school dress-up dolls. The students in their teens up to 80 years old, but many repair methods for are men in their 60s who repair toys as a hobby after retirement. To become a doctor, a person par- Miura Yasuo, chairman of the ticipates in a one-day to three-day Doctor Training Japan Toy Hospital Association All photos: Courtesy of The Japan Toy Hospital Association

20 | highlighting japan ago and has repaired many toys, but he says that it’s not just toys for children that are brought in for repairs. The repair that is especially memo- rable to Miura was the music box brought in by an elderly woman. “She said it was a present from her late hus- band,” Miura explains. “The woman was over- joyed and wept when the repaired music box began working again. I also couldn’t help but cry at that moment.” Because visitors often have an emotional attachment to the toys they bring in, the doctors do not easily give up on repairs. They create tools specially for repairs, search for parts online, and share ideas with one another to ensure a toy’s complete recovery through a variety of methods. Toy Hospitals receive many requests for repairs of toy trains “There is a great need for people to repair treasured toys,” says Miura. “I will further improve these kinds of toys are well established, so repairs the technical skills of doctors all over Japan, and can be made in about one to two hours. supply them with specially made easy-to-use tools However, if parts have to be ordered or if the so that customers know that when they come to a repairs will take some time, the toy is kept for a few Toy Hospital, they will always get their toy fixed.” days – in other words, it is “admitted” to the hospi- The toys that have had new life breathed into tal. In addition to many toys being made overseas, them at Toy Hospitals are sometimes returned to high-tech toys, such as drones, have been increasing their original owners and sometimes passed on to in recent years, and there are occasions when repairs new owners. The process of fixing toys helps children take more time than expected, but the rate of “toys and adults foster a spirit of taking care of things. being played again” is more than 90%. For repairs of toys with broken plastic parts, the doctors do not repair them by simply reattaching the parts with an adhesive. They drill several small holes near the ‘wound,’ the broken part, then pass fine, stainless steel wires through the holes and firmly “suture” the wound. They also apply adhesive to the wound and reinforce it. “We use adhesive only for reinforcement,” says Miura. “If we just apply adhesive to a broken part, it will break again easily.” The people who visit Toy Hospitals typically have a deep affection for their broken toys, such as those who bring in a toy they had bought when they were a child and let their grandchildren play with. Miura, who worked as an engineer at an automobile manu- facturer, became a “doctor” more than twenty years The Association’s original toy repair tools

August 2020 | 21

Series POLICY-RELATED NEWS Marine litter that has washed up on shore

Marine plastic litter has become a global problem in recent years. A variety of initiatives are being carried out through public-private cooperation in Japan to “smartly” reduce plastic litter.

SAWAJI OSAMU ence, knowledge and techniques). Based on this framework, the first arine plastic pollution are now, plastic litter in the oceans follow-up meeting was held in Tokyo has become a serious will outweigh fish by 2050. last October with the participation international prob- of 17 countries, regions and interna- lem in recent years. Osaka Blue Ocean tional organizations. The meeting Vision TheM marine plastic litter that flows was greatly significant in starting a into the ocean causes a variety of At the G20 Osaka Summit in June last mutual enhancement of measures. problems such as degradation of year (2019), Japan took the lead in Additionally, a portal site (https:// the marine environment including sharing the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, g20mpl.org) was launched through a ecosystems, loss in the functions of which aims to reduce additional pol- Japanese initiative so that each coun- coasts, negative impacts on scen- lution by marine plastic litter to zero try could easily update their own ery, hindrance to ship navigation, by 2050 as a common global vision. initiatives. In cooperation with Saudi and repercussions for the fishing It is important for many more coun- Arabia, which holds the G20 presi- industry and tourism. According to tries, including emerging and devel- dency this year, Japan will encour- a report presented at the World Eco- oping countries, to share a goal and age efforts in line with this Imple- nomic Forum (Davos Meeting) in steadily implement effective mea- mentation Framework. January 2016, the amount of plastic sures toward solving the problem produced globally over the 50 years of marine plastic pollution. Going Plastics Smart from 1964 to 2014 rapidly grew to beyond the G20, 86 countries and Plastics Smart is a campaign imple- more than 20 times the amount in regions currently share this vision. mented by the Ministry of the Envi- 1964, and approximately 8 million And to realize this vision, the Japa- ronment, Japan aiming to create a metric tons of plastic is flowing into nese government has established national trend and advance initia- the ocean every year. The report an Implementation Framework that tives to prevent the generation of indicates that if effective measures encourages the dissemination and marine litter, while encouraging are not taken and we continue as we sharing of best practices (experi- proper understanding of the state

22 | highlighting japan

Marine litter collection by fishers in Kagawa Prefecture Photo: Courtesy of Kagawa Prefecture

of marine plastic pollution through public awareness activities and public information, with the key phrase, “a smart relationship with plastic.” As of August 2020, over 1,200 initiatives have been registered to the Plastics Smart website, and information is spreading widely both in Japan and abroad through the campaign site and various events. (http:// plastics-smart.env.go.jp/en/)

Examples of Initiatives • To reduce the 80 million plastic umbrellas consumed in a year in Japan, Nature Innovation Group Co., Ltd. has implemented the “i-kasa” (ai-kasa) sharing service, where umbrellas can be rented and returned at nearby “Umbrella Spots” when needed. • The Kagawa Prefecture Litter Countermeasure Promotion Council is working with munici- palities, the prefecture and fishers to collect and treat litter that Edible film made of kanten, developed by Ina Food Industry Co., Ltd. has accumulated on the sea Photo: ©️Ina Food Industry Co., Ltd. floor. Fishers bring back the litter salvaged during fishing to the clean-up activities. More than promote interactions between cor- port, and the transportation and 500,000 people have partici- porations and concerned organiza- disposal is done at the expense pated from more than 80 coun- tions tackling the problem of marine of the municipality. tries worldwide. The company plastic litter. • Using kanten (agar), which is is also developing a river litter made from tengusa (agar weed), distribution survey system that Ina Food Industry Co., Ltd. pro- uses drones. duces film made only with ingredients that can be eaten. This In Japan, 139 local governments, film is used as a replacement for which cover more than half of the plastic in food packaging, etc. population, have already issued dec- • Pirika, Inc. has developed a larations and policies regarding mea- social media platform that sures against marine plastic litter. In makes it possible for users addition, to promote the formulation Litter distribution survey system to post photos and com- of such declarations and policies by that uses drones, developed by ment about litter they have local governments, the Ministry of Pirika, Inc. picked up, thereby visualizing the Environment will continue to Photo: ©️Pirika, Inc.

AUGUST 2020 | 23 Series SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A feature of Urban Rig is its compact size and transportability

It is said that each year between 10 and 20 million tons of trash are dumped into the oceans around the world, 80 percent of which consists of plastic waste. There are concerns about its adverse impact on the marine environment. Even if this plastic waste were collected, the difficulty of disposing of it safely poses a major challenge. We introduce a company that has successfully addressed this challenge through a novel techno- logical development.

UMEZAWA AKIRA

n recent years, the damag- other trash have been found drift- a safe disposal method has there- ing impact of marine plastic ing and washed up on the coast fore been a longstanding problem. waste on ecosystems and the and are considered to have the Oneworld Japan Corporation in wider marine environment, potential to destroy the coastal Osaka Prefecture has developed theI navigational hazard posed to marine ecosystem. Yet, even if a unique technology to solve this vessels, and the impact on resi- this marine debris is collected, it problem. The new device, called dential environments in coastal is extremely difficult to dispose Urban Rig, uses pyrolysis to dis- areas have generated worldwide of. In particular, the incineration pose of untreated marine debris concern. The problem is of such of untreated marine plastic waste containing plastics, stones, sea- global proportions that it has that has been immersed in sea- weed, metals and wood. become a matter for discussion water and is covered in salt gener- The key to this technology is at G7 and G20 summit meetings. ates harmful substances such as superheated steam. In Japan’s coastal areas too, large chlorine and dioxin. In addition, “Superheated steam is created quantities of plastic bottles, sty- the chlorine generated damages by further heating high-temper- rene foam, plastic containers, and incinerators. The establishment of ature steam generated by boiling

24 | highlighting japan water. Urban Rig renders the inte- rior of a garbage decomposition furnace anoxic by filling it with superheated steam, thereby pyro- lyzing the waste. In a regular incin- erator, an oxygen reaction occurs, producing dioxins. When oxygen is absent, no oxygen reaction occurs, and neither dioxins nor carbon dioxide are produced. Chlorine Each unit in the “continuous process” series of Urban Rig has a distinct is adsorbed by the catalytic con- temperature setting, enabling efficient extraction of light diesel oil and verter, so it doesn’t cause any dam- other products at different points along the line before cooling age to the device itself either,” says Ito Tomoaki, Oneworld Japan Rep- resentative Director and CEO. The device does not only decompose waste. It can also recover oil, charcoal and metals for recycling. “Urban Rig is able to separate light diesel oil and other oil, methane gas, and so on from plastic, by cooling down gases that have been distilled in the pyrolysis process. In addition, since organic materials other than plastics disappear The carbonized ash (charcoal) recovered after processing with as water vapor or oxide gas, char- Urban Rig can be used as fuel coal is the only solid matter that remains, and metals can be recov- the cost of disposal. What is more, The technology won the Nippon ered unchanged. Of course, these since the light diesel oil, kerosene, Foundation Prize in the Innova- too can be used as recycled materi- fuel oil, and so on that is needed tion category of the 2019 UMIGOMI als,” explains Ito. to run the equipment can be made Zero (eliminate marine debris) In fact, 10,000 liters of light die- from the waste collected, fuel costs Awards, sponsored by the Ministry sel oil and 50 cubic meters of char- too can be significantly reduced. of the Environment, Japan and the coal can be recovered from 200 And if mounted on a ship, the drift- Nippon Foundation. The device cubic meters (200,000 liters) of ing trash collected at sea can be is already operating in China, and waste containing 10 percent plastic immediately processed on board. its introduction is currently being when processed by Urban Rig. “Our goal is to create a world- considered by Miyako Island, Oki- Another feature of Urban Rig wide system through the spread of nawa Prefecture. is its mobility. The compact size Urban Rig. Once we have a system Urban Rig has great potential to of the device allows it to be trans- in place to sell the recycled fuel improve the increasingly serious ported on a 10-ton truck or large and metals, the waste becomes a problem of marine debris. Japan container for disposal at the refuse resource and creates jobs for those has contributed to the improve- collection site. This does away with who work in recycling. By industri- ment of global environmental the need to transport the collected alizing the cycle of recycling in this problems through a variety of marine debris from the coast to way, using waste to generate profit, environmental technologies and, the disposal facility, reducing the we hope to create a sustainable with the introduction of Urban Rig, number of personnel required and business," says Ito. those contributions continue.

All photos: Courtesy of Oneworld Japan AUGUST 2020 | 25 Series MY WAY Sheila Cliffe, kimono researcher

having noticed there were often eye-catching kimono to be found there. “The first thing I bought at an antique stall was a bright red nagajuban,” says Cliffe. “I was surprised when a Japanese friend later told me that it was an undergarment. What started my research was my increasing interest in kimono as I wondered why such a bright and beautiful thing would be worn under a kimono where it couldn’t be seen.” Since then, Cliffe’s research has expanded to the history of kimono and its cultural background, kimono production areas, and the traditional craftsmanship of weav- ing and dyeing, while she also holds kimono shows and exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. According to Cliffe, there are many kimono lovers outside of Japan and even some who pur- chase kimono through the Inter- net. However, people overseas have little opportunity to learn about the history of kimono or Sheila Cliffe from the UK is a researcher and lecturer on the history how they are made. and culture of the kimono. Through her lectures, books, exhibitions “I often say that kimono ‘have and other means, Cliffe is not only helping to keep the kimono cul- roots.’ The fabrics are woven and ture alive, but also leading it in new directions. dyed using locally grown plants as the raw materials. Kimono have SATO KUMIKO a very deep connection with the place they are made and the sur- he kimono, the national tionship with Japanese culture. rounding nature,” says Cliffe. dress of Japan, has a long Cliffe first encountered kimono Currently, Cliffe is putting most and fascinating history. on moving to Japan in 1985 to of her effort into the Kimono Sheila Cliffe, a profes- learn shintaido, a modern mar- Closet project, in which she inter- sorT at Jumonji Gakuen Women’s tial art. She became attracted to views women about their kimono. University in Niiza City, Saitama the possibilities in the energy of Cliffe investigates the kimono and Prefecture, is a kimono researcher Tokyo, where old and new are the human events surrounding known for her work exploring the mixed together, and soon made them and records the information history of the kimono and its rela- visiting antique markets a hobby, for the next generation.

26 | highlighting japan Cliffe on the street wearing kimono

The level of skill involved in According to Cliffe, these kimono formal way. In an effort to change making kimono is very high, are often inherited from mothers, this, in 2018 she published Sheila which is one reason why the gar- grandmothers and great-grand- Kimono Style, a style guide sug- ments are highly durable. A single mothers sometimes going back gesting new ways to wear kimono kimono can be passed on and worn over 100 years. that could be incorporated into for more than three generations. “Kimono can throw light on everyday life in modern Japan. Japanese people started to wear a family’s history,” says Cliffe. Cliffe herself was the model for Western clothing during the Meiji “When a family member passes the book, in which she introduces period (1868–1912), when modern- away and that person’s belongings a style of wearing brightly-colored ization began, but it was not until are dealt with, many people cher- kimono with hats or other acces- after the Second World War that ish first and foremost the kimono sories that match the kimono’s wearing Western clothing became from their mother’s closet. When colors or patterns. mainstream. Nevertheless, many I heard about this, my heart was “First you match the obi (belt), young women still own and wear filled with warm, yet sorrowful and then the zori (sandals), bags, a quality kimono for ceremonies. thoughts.” and other small accessories, and It is true to say however that then you put on the kimono,” besides special ceremonies, such Cliffe explains. “As you do this, as Coming-of-Age ceremonies and you combine colors that match weddings, there are few Japanese the season or decide on a the- people in modern Japan who wear matic color for the day, and then kimono on a daily basis, even decide how to coordinate every- though some young people do thing while imagining your favor- wear them as a fashion statement. ite story. This process is a sheer joy Cliffe, who wears kimono every for fashion lovers.” day on the street, argues this By suggesting new ways to wear is because there is a belief that and enjoy kimono, Cliffe is helping A kimono exhibition in England kimono cannot be worn in any to bring Japan’s treasured national organized by Cliffe way other than the traditional, dress back into daily life.

All photos: Courtesy of Sheila Cliffe AUGUST 2020 | 27 A print from the stencil dye series Sake Brewery in Fushimi by Inagaki Series ENJOY DRINKING Toshijiro (1902–1963) Image: Courtesy of Masuda Tokubee Shoten Co., Ltd.

tion thrived in this area in the latter half of the sixteenth century. Toyo- tomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598), Japan’s de facto leader, built Fushimi Castle in the Momoyama Hills, and by making it one of his residences, people gathered here and the need for sake increased. Later, in the Edo period (1603–1867), Fushimi further developed as aa key point on the water and land transportation routes that connected Kyoto and Osaka. There were more than a few sake breweries that moved here from other regions seeking Fushi- mi’s geographical advantages and quality water. This is how Fushimi, together with Nada in the south- eastern part of Hyogo Prefecture, came to be a prominent area for sake production in Japan. One sake brewery in Fushimi with a long history is Masuda Tokubee Shoten Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1675. Masuda Tokubee, the 14th family head of the brewery, talks about the advantages of producing sake in Fushimi. “The main reason why sake pro- The of Fushimi, duction flourished in Fushimi is Sake the quality of the water. This area Made with Famous Waters has abundant groundwater, and Fushimi in Kyoto is one of Japan’s representative sake producing there are seven famous springs, areas. Delicious sake is brewed here, using high-quality groundwater called the Seven Wells of Fushimi, that springs out from the base of nearby hills as an ingredient. We that have been gushing forth since spoke with the 14th family head of one old sake brewery about the ancient times. This is very well tradition of sake producing in Fushimi. suited to producing sake.” The groundwater that springs SASAKI TAKASHI up from the foot of the Momoyama Hills is a water of medium hardness ushimi, located on the ing topography, with three rivers full of moderate amounts of calcium southern edge of Kyoto flowing around the gently-sloping and potassium, and it has a charac- City, is famous as a place Momoyama Hills: the Ujigawa teristic delicate flavor and mellow where sake production River, the Kamogawa River and the mouthfeel. The water that bubbles flourishes.F It has an undulat- Katsuragawa River. Sake produc- up in Gokounomiya Shrine, one

28 | highlighting japan The Iwai variety of rice is cultivated exclusively in Kyoto Prefecture for use by the local sake brewers Photo: Courtesy of Masuda Tokubee Shoten Co., Ltd.

Steaming rice in the brewery Photo: Courtesy of Masuda Tokubee Shoten Co., Ltd.

A sake brewery in Fushimi

of the seven wells that still exists sake with minimal sourness and Fushimi Sake Brewers Association today, is said to have been carefully a smooth taste. This is the rea- actively appealing to the mayor, protected for over 1,000 years. son why the sake from Fushimi is city council and other entities. Masuda says that water with a called onna-zake (woman sake), Smiling, Masuda says that, medium hardness that includes while the strong sake from Nada, “Even for us, when it is hot, we a good balance of minerals with its dry taste due to the use of often made a toast first with beer, advances fermentation slowly, hard groundwater, is called otoko- but because we have so much deli- allowing the harshness of the zake (man sake). cious sake in Kyoto, I thought that alcohol to be removed during the Sake from Fushimi pairs very I would try and establish a custom fermentation process to create a well with traditional Kyoto cuisine of making a toast with sake.” and its mild flavors, a type of Japa- This movement has spread to nese food that utilizes the flavors various places in Japan, and 128 of the ingredients. Masuda tells local governments across the coun- us that many of the finest restau- try have established similar “regu- rants in Kyoto recommend pairing lations” for toasting not just with Kyoto cuisine with Fushimi sake. sake, but with locally-produced In January 2013, the “Let’s shochu, wine, specialty ingredients, Make a Toast with Sake!” initiative and foods. Originating in Fushimi, (Official name: Regulation to Pro- these efforts to share the appeal of mote the Popularization of Kyoto local traditional specialty products City Sake) came into effect in the and to revitalize the local indus-

A spring water basin at city of Kyoto. Masuda was central try are trying to bring about great Gokounomiya Shrine in establishing this unique and fun excitement in a way that is tailored Photo: Courtesy of Gokounomiya “regulation,” created through the to each region.

AUGUST 2020 | 29 Series ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES

The tenshu, or keep, of Matsue Castle

Of the thousands of castles built in Japan over the cen- turies, there are only twelve that remain in more or less the same form as when they were originally constructed. One of those is Matsue Castle in Shimane Prefecture.

UMEZAWA AKIRA

atsue Castle was built sue Castle was registered by the eration with residents and the gov- at the beginning of the Japanese government in 1935 as a ernment, was undertaken to provide seventeenth century National Treasure, being one of the the additional information needed in the center of what is most important buildings or works for the National Treasure redesig- Mcurrently Matsue City, Shimane Pre- of art in Japan, but the designation nation. The results of this research fecture, by Horio Yoshiharu, the feu- was changed from National Trea- were announced in 2012. Two tal- dal lord of the area at the time. Later, sure to Important Cultural Property ismans were found in a shrine on the lord of the castle changed, and it due to a change in the jurisdiction the castle grounds. These talismans became the castle residence for the law in 1950. However, this change were originally kept hidden in the lord of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s was perceived as a downgrade and castle keep, but were lost for hun- Matsudaira clan, and this continued a strong desire from city residents dreds of years. The talismans had until feudal domains were abolished was expressed to have the castle, the date 1611 inscribed on them, and prefectures were established in a symbol of Matsue, be reinstated clarifying when the keep was com- the early Meiji period,1871. as a National Treasure. Thereafter, pleted. The keep’s characteristic col- The tenshu, or keep, of Mat- patient scientific research, in coop- umn structure was also explained,

30 | highlighting japan Cross section of through pillars

East-west North-south cross section cross section

The column construction that was one of the deciding factors for National Treasure designation Pillar reinforcement using the tsutsumi-ita technique and Matsue Castle was redesignated them with kasugai (staple-like iron conventional wisdom.” as a National Treasure in 2015, with nails) or kanawa (metal bands). Of There has been an increase in the determining factors being that the 308 pillars supporting the keep, opportunities for the castle to be the castle was an example of the 130 were processed with the tsut- showcased in the media since it was use of superior techniques in keep sumi-ita reinforcement technique. redesignated as a National Treasure, construction and that the year of its It can be said that Matsue Castle and as the number of tourists from completion had been revealed. was a pioneering building at the both Japan and abroad has increased, Part of the characteristic column time, as it made construction of a Matsue City is aiming for Matsue Cas- structure of the keep of Matsue Cas- large-scale keep possible without tle to be registered as a World Heri- tle is a technique known as “through using massive, long logs but instead tage Site. pillars.” It ensures the strength of the using original techniques, such as the Inata says, “In May 2020, the approximately 30-meter-tall keep, clever use of short pillars. Matsue-jo wo Mamoru Kai (asso- with its five floors above ground and Even after being redesignated ciation for protecting Matsue Castle) one below ground, dispersing the as a National Treasure, studies and was established as we entered our load of the keep by supporting it with research have progressed, and new fifth year since the National Treasure alternating pillars passing through facts have come to light. designation. This association aims every two floors. At the main keep Inata Makoto, head of the Matsue to protect Matsue Castle through at Himeji Castle, which was built Castle Research Lab, Historical Sur- local efforts and pass it on to the next several years before Matsue Castle, vey Section, Historical Town Devel- generation. There are plans to cre- a single long and massive through opment Department in Matsue City, ate opportunities to widen the circle pillar supported multiple floors, but says, “We have found that when it of people related to the castle and to when Matsue Castle was built, castle was built, the roof of the keep was carry out activities to promote the construction using enormous logs decorated, and it is now assumed network of organizations involved in was going on all over Japan, and it is that the keep originally had a vastly cleaning and other activities related thought that Matsue Castle was con- different exterior than it does today. to the castle. Through sharing and structed in this way as it was difficult Up until this new discovery, the com- offering the results of our studies and to acquire such enormous logs. mon understanding even among cas- research with city residents, we hope Another technique that reflects tle researchers was that the Matsue to further increase the value of Mat- the conditions of these times is Castle keep had entirely preserved sue Castle.” tsutsumi-ita. This is a technique that its original appearance. The discov- It may not be long until we learn covers the surface of the wood used ery that the keep was in fact different of the next discovery of historical for pillars with boards and fastens when it was first built has defied the facts about Matsue Castle.

All photos and images: Courtesy of Matsue City AUGUST 2020 | 31 JAPAN HERITAGE

Koka City

Iga City

Exploring the Birthplace of the Real Ninja

he word “ninja” generally conjures up an image of a covert warrior clad from head to toe in black, conducting secret missions with an array of skills, ingenious equipment, and seemingly Tsuperhuman maneuvers. Ninja are an iconic part of Japanese culture known around the world, but where did ninja originate and how did they train? Answers to these and many more questions can be found in Iga City in Mie Prefecture and neighboring Koka City in Shiga Prefecture, two areas jointly considered to be the birthplace of ninja arts. Both cities were relatively close to the major centers of power at the time, yet their mountainous surroundings largely kept them out of the reach of feudal lords. Mercenary groups that emerged to maintain peace and coordinate rule in these remote areas developed techniques and strategies for unconventional combat, sabotage, and gathering intelligence during the Sengoku period (1467 to late 16th century). This was the heyday of the ninja. Ninja culture is kept alive in Iga and Koka in museums, theme parks, temples, and castles that offer insights into ninja training, both physical and mental. Visitors to this ninja heartland can learn about their techniques and skills, and even give some of them a try. Throw shuriken stars (a ninja weapon), scale walls, and explore houses with contraptions to fool intruders, such as revolving walls, trapdoors, and hidden compartments. These hands-on experiences are a fun way to gauge how your skills measure up to those of a trained ninja. Much of the modern-day perception of ninja is drawn from Bansenshukai, a once-secret document believed to have been written in 1676 that details ninja techniques from Iga and Koka. This document explained the physical and mental training that ninja underwent and has provided the framework for ninja-related demonstrations and activities conducted in Iga and Koka today. You probably will not meet a real ninja when you are walking down the street in Japan, but visitors to these cities will see ninja history come to life. Visit the Japan Heritage Official Site athttps://www.japan.travel/japan-heritage/

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