What are microplastics?
In recent years concern has been increasing globally about the potential
impacts of marine plastic waste on ecosystems. Of these wastes,“microplastics” are seen as particularly problematic.
Microplastics refers to minute plastics such as the beads contained in
toothpaste and facial cleansing products, or from plastic wastes, such as
those in checkout bags and PET bottles which have been broken down to
5mm or less due to the action of ultraviolet rays or waves.
Many of these microplastics have their origin in everyday waste such as
packaging and lifestyle goods, and they are said to be difficult to collectdue to their minute size and permeation of environments.
(Usage examples)checkout bags,
foodstuff packaging,
kitchen supplies, rope,
plastic containers,
or toothpaste
fertilizer capsules, etc. Detergent
container lid

Percentage of microplasticmaterials

Other（23％）

Polyethylene-based（37％）(Usage examples)
Polypropylene-based
detergent bottles, kitchen supplies,（19％）
stationary, household applianceparts, bicycle parts, etc.
Polystyrene-based（21％）
Container lids,
stationery, etc.

Ballpoint pen core(Usage examples)
foodstuff trays, foodstuff
packaging, cup noodle
containers, CD cases, padding
materials, etc.

Food tray or cup
noodle container

Food packs, etc.

Packing band, etc.

Microplastics on the Toyama Prefecture coastline
Source: Toyama Prefecture Field study on microplastics on the Toyama coastline (2017)

According to a Ministry of the Environment survey, while by type most waste is ofnatural origin on a weight basis, plastics represent the most abundant by type on aquantity basis, and if they are allowed to continue to increase, there are estimations
by international authorities that the volume of plastic waste suspended in oceans
will exceed the volume of fish by 2050.
WeightPlastics

WeightQuantity Naturally
occuring materials

Quantity

Plastics
MetalsWoodenmaterials

Fabrics
Glass/ceramics
Paper

Naturallyoccuring materials

Woodenmaterials

Plastics

Woodenmaterials
Other manmade
substances
Naturally occuring
materials

Ratio of substances in marine waste by weight, by quantity
Source: Ministry of the Environment Comprehensive investigation into countermeasures for flotsam waste (2016)

Issues with microplastics
１．Difficulty of recoveryMicroplastics are extremely minute, meaning they
are difficult to recover from seas and coastlines.
Further, as the plastics are not broken down, theyremain in the natural environment on a semipermanent basis.

２．Negative impacts on marine ecosystems
Microplastics

also

have

impactsonmarineecosystems. As a result of consumption after
mistaking them for food, marine organisms sustain
injuries to their internal organs from these substances,or their intestines may rupture resulting in death.

３．Negative impacts on health
Regarding impacts on human health, while mosthave yet to be clarified scientifically, there is arecognized risk of impacts on ecosystems fromchemicals in microplastics or the chemicals
which they adsorb assumulating in the foodchain.
４．Negative economic impacts on ocean industries, etc.
Polluted seas and coastlines lose their attraction for the tourism
sector.
In addition, microplastics accumulate on coral and reduce thealgae which have a symbiotic relationship with this coral.
There are also cases studies pointing to the destruction of thissymbiotic relationship, as well as concern about the economicloses incurred as a result of decreased incomes not only in thetourism industry but also in fisheries and fish culturation.

Countermeasures for the microplastics issue
It is known that 80% of marine waste in Japan and overseas is comprised ofwaste which has run off from littering or illegal disposal occuring on land.
It is necessary to swiftly process plastic waste before it is converted tomicroplastics and becomes difficult to recover.
We can also play our part in countermeasures to the microplastics issue.
１．Mitigate the generation of plastic waste
Please make efforts to mitigate the generation of plastic waste such as by using one'sown bag, and refraining from the use of plastic drinking straws. Recylcling, including
playing your part in resource recovery, such as that for plastic food trays implemented at
supermarkets is also effective.
Unnecesary generation ofwaste is avoided byreducing checkout bag use
andrecovering
andrecycing of resources atsupermarkets and similar
locationsinToyama
Prefecture.

Campaign mascot"Eco-bouya"

２．Ensure to bring home any rubbish
Do not litter or illegally dispose of empty PET bottles, or fishing and camping
equipment at leisure and recreational facilities, and ensure to bring these home with you
when you leave.

３ ．Participate in cleanup campaigns for waterways and coastlines
Cleanup campaigns for waterways and coastlines are implemented by local government
and private entities. Please take the time to participate in such activities.

* The waste which is disposed of in parks and streets in our immediate surroundings
will be carried by the rain and wind to rivers, and even if they are far away from theocean will ultimately be washed into the sea. Do not forget that wherever we are in theregion in which we all live this is connected to rivers and the sea, and that any waste
you throw away will eventually be washed into the sea.

Initiatives by country
Initiatives both to decrease the amount of waste, and to decrease plastics
specifically, are underway throughout the world as measures to fight themicroplastics issue. An increasing number of countries or corporations arebanning the use of checkout bags and plastic drinking straws. Initiatives
such as those given below are already underway in respective countries.

JapanChina

Charging for checkout bags
Resource recovery, including for plastic packaging
Banning of manufacture, sale, and use of checkout bags
Implementation of community-wide initiatives to decreasehousehold waste, including those for farming villages, etc.

Charging for checkout bags
Implementation of cleanup campaigns with the cooperation
South Korea of fishermen, businesses, and civic groups.

RussiaMongolia

Compulsory separation and recovery of recyclable plastic,glass, paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, etc.
Banning of sale/use of checkout bags
Implementation of cross-border initiatives to decrease waste in riverswhich connect to the sea .

All of us need to become actively involved in initiatives to restore
beautiful seas, and to ensure that these continue to be maintained.

1-7 Shin-Sougawa, Toyama City, Toyama 930-8501
International Affairs & Japan Sea Region Policy Division, Toyama Prefectural Government Office(TEL: 076-444-3158,FAX: 076-444-9612)
8F Dai-2 Toyama-denki Building, 5-3 Shin-Sakuramachi, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0005
Environmental Policy Division, Office for Living Environments and Culture(TEL: 076-444-8727,FAX: 076-444-3480)

Pubd. March 2021