Japans actions on Environment and Health

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Japans actions on Environment and Health

• Mimi Nameki
• Ministry of the Environment Japan

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Lessons Leaned from History

• Japan experienced severe cases of
  pollution-related diseases, such as Minamata
  Disease and Yokkaichi Asthma
• From the lessons learned, government
• administers a program in which compensation is
  paid to victims by the polluters.
• carries out projects aimed at early prevention of
  environmental pollution-related health damage.

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Plans/frameworks on Environment and Health

• The Basic Environment Plan
• White paper on Environment
• White paper on Health, Labor and Welfare
• Decided by the Cabinet
• Revised on a regular and systematic basis (BEP
  once in a 5yrs, White papers every yr )
• Many other national plans for individual issues
• (e.g. the plan for establishing sound
  material-cycle society, the plan for
  countermeasures against DXNs)

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The Basic Environment Plan

• Gives the outline of comprehensive and long-term
  measures
• Discussed by the Central Environmental Council,
  consists of multistakeholders adopted by the
  Cabinet
• The 1st plan was drawn up in 1994
• Revised once in 5yrs. The 3rd version of the plan
  is currently under discussion.
• Latest plan (2nd ver) consists of 11 strategic
  programs including chemical management
• http//www.env.go.jp/en/pol/bplan/index.html

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White Paper on Environment

• Annual report on the environment
• To inform citizens on the current state of
• environment, and
• environmental policy measures
• (the white paper includes measures taken and to
  be taken)
• http//www.env.go.jp/en/w-paper/index.html

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Actions Taken Water Supply

• Importance of Securing Safe and High-Quality
  Water
• Diffusion rate of public water supply over 96
• Systems relating water quality management revised
  
• based upon reports by the Health Science Council,
  consists of multi stakeholders
• Public comments
• Subsidies for Water-Supply Facilities

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Actions Taken Water Treatment

• Sewage system 68.1
• Other big/medium waste water treatment facilities
  for agricultural area 2.7
• Johkasou (small water treatment facilities)
  8.4
• purifies the wastewater below one tenth level
  (BOD)
• can be built in the small space as a parking lot
  of a car
• In sum, diffusion rate 79.2 (as of 2004)

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Patients of water borne diseases and prevalence
of water supply in Japan
corellas, shigelloses, typhoid, para
typhoid (10000)
Ratio of Water supply ()
This figure was shown by Dr. Mari Aasami in the
Scientific Conference held prior to this Second
High-Level Meeting
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Actions Taken Water TreatmentJohkasoh for
domestic wastewater treatment
BOD 200 mg/L 200L/person/day
Johkasoh
BOD 20 mg/L

• purifies the wastewater below one tenth level
  (BOD)
• can be built in the small space as a parking lot
  of a car

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Actions Taken Water Treatment
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Actions Taken Toxic Substances and hazardous
waste management
Asbestos
Profile a mineral fiber, widely used in 60s
and 70s Uses building materials (acoustic
insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing
material etc.) , paper products and brakes
etc. Health hazard airborne and inhaled in the
lungs Mesothelioma, Lung cancer etc.
Not only Occupational Exposure but also
Environmental Exposure is a great concern
Immediate Cross-Sectoral Actions needed
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Actions Taken Toxic Substances and hazardous
waste management
Lesson learned from the case of Asbestos
Importance of Information Sharing among Ministries
Establishment of Inter-ministerial Commission on
Chemicals with Human Health Impact
Cabinet Office
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and
Transport Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology Ministry of Health, Labor and
Welfare
Hazard/ Risk Assessment, Risk Management,
International Conventions etc.
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The Kyoto Target Achievement Plan (approved by
the Cabinet on April 28, 2005)
Actions Taken Global Environmental Issues

• Ensure achievement of 6 reduction commitment
  under the Protocol
• Steady implementation of a continuous as well as
  long-term GHG emissions reduction on a global
  scale

21st Century is a century of the
environment. Climate change is a common issue to
all human beings.
The government of Japan, as one of the most
advanced countries across the globe in
implementing measures on climate change, is
aspired to take a leading role in the
international community.
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Actions TakenDisasters and Emergencies

• Efforts for Water Supply
• improving eartquake-resistance of water supply
  facilities
• preventing water shortages
• against accidents on water quality
• Guidelines for the Execution of Health-Risk
  Management of Drinking Water
• Against terrorism
• Regulations on water air quality control in
  case of an accident
• restoration, notification etc.