About Environment

Japan's pollution levels in air and water have been decreasing consistently and for the first time ever, the share of renewable energies in the total energy production has reached over 15%. But there are new challenges and global threats that the country has to deal with.

Cleaning up the Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011 remains one of the biggest tasks – though large areas have been cleared from contaminated soil, the municipalities struggle to convince people to move back. There are also challenges that other regions are facing. As examples, the increase in PM2.5 as well as eutrophication of large water bodies are threats to health and nature. This section gives an overview of Japan’s environmental policies and the current state of its green technology and recycling sectors. 

Nishimura & Asahi Environmental law and practice in Japan: overview, 2015

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Fifth Basic Environmental Plan
• The concept of Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere
• Sectors
• Air pollution control
• Water pollution control
• Soil decontamination in Fukushima
• Organisations and Associations
• Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency
• Japan Fund for Global Environment
• Geo-Environment Protection Center
• Japan Association of Environmental Assessment
• Japan Association on Odor Environment
• Japan Education Center of Environmental Sanitation
• Japan Environmental Facilities Manufacturers Association
• Annual Report
• Relevant Organisations and Trade Fairs