Towards the Building ofGreen Civilization Society
MAY 20,2010
Saburo Kato
Co-chair of JAES21

1

About NPO Japan Association of Environment andSociety for the 21st Century (JAES21)◆JAES21 is an NPO established in 1993 with the chief aim of formulating
and presenting policy proposals for a sustainable Japan◆MIssion： To chart a course of change in Japan in the direction towards asustainable “Green Civilization Society”◆Vision：We will:- Seek to restructure our value
system- Promote changes in the present
social institutions and systems- Support technological innovation

Founding members
2

Achievements in the past 16 years
1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Traditional
wisdom of Japan
Publishing “Use of

Research study on wisdom of traditional societies
instrumental in the formation of sustainable, recyclingoriented society

２
１
世
紀
の
環
境
と
文
明
を
考
え
る
会
発
足

Environmental
Environmental ethics from the kitchen tableethicsTraditional wisdom Traditional Wisdom for a
Sustainable Society”
of Japan
Green Civilization
Society
Discussions on green economy

Green
10 proposals thatenhancethe viability
economyMind and wisdom of global citizens
Recycling-oriented society– Vision and Roadmap

Socialsystemstudy
group

Announcement ofmodel local ordinanceon beverage vending
machines

12-point proposal for
realization of sustainabletransportation

Environmental
education study
group

Policy proposal for promotion ofwaste reduction

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

Establishment of Basic
Law on Environmental
Education

Legislation
study group
新政権に求める
環境政策

Third proposal for introduction of “environmental”
principles in Japanese Constitution

Support for compilation ofNEC’s annual report (annual)Partnership Award
Partnership Award
Research on businessNGO partnership

Formulation of draft outline for Basic
Law on Environmental Education

Constitution
study group

Policy proposal on introductionof environmental tax

1995

Green
economyof green economy

Environmental NGO of the future– Learning from the West1994

Eco-Power Award for
Corporate Executives

Received

Partnership with business

Development of programs and promotion of personnel training forenvironmental education

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Major activities of JAES21
1. Recycling-oriented society –Vision and Roadmap

2. Law for the Promotion ofEnvironmental Education◆Vision and roadmap for recyclingoriented society in the U.S. and Japan
towards the target year of 2030 (Energy,
waste, consumption and lifestyle, andbusiness)◆Council meeting for the formulation of
Law for the Promotion of Environmental
Education◆ Environmental education study group

4. Environmental ethics

3. Green economy◆12 proposals that enhance theviability of green economy (Food,work and purchase)◆Qualifications of managers as
leaders of the 21st century society

Projects forGreen Civilization
Society◆Mind and wisdom of global citizens –why environmental ethics now◆Environmental ethics from the kitchen
table – Restoring traditional Japanese
diet

of

6. Introduction of “environmental
principles” in Japanese Constitution◆Application of Japan’s traditional wisdom in theestablishment of sustainable society in the 21st
century (Greater emphasis on peace of mind thanon attachment to things, learning to be fulfilled,
sense of oneness with nature, etc.)◆The addition of another pillar of “environmental
principles” to the three basic pillars of JapaneseConstitution – democracy, peace and basic humanrights -- which contains no reference to the term“environment.”

5.
Traditional
wisdomsustainability in Japan

5

Premises for Examination of Green Civilization Society (1)Declining and aging population○Japan’s population of 127 million in 2010 is projected to shrink to 115 million by
2030○The number of people aged 70 or older is projected to expand from 11.9 million in
1995 to 27.8 million by 2020
○Japan is a nation with high life expectancy, at 79.29 years of age for men and86.05 for women (2008).
GDP (2008: nominal GDP): GDP is declining in nominal terms○GDP (4 trillion 900 billion US dollars)○Per capita GDP (39,000 US dollars)
Widening disparity in wealth
About one third of employed persons hold non-regular jobs, with shrinking middleclass households , widening the gap between the rich and poor.
Environmental measures
Japan ranks among the top in the world in terms of overall environmental
measures. While individual companies have the world’s top-level technology inanti-global warming measures, the inadequate development of institutionalframeworks essential for their expansion (including taxes and charges, emissions
trading and system for fixed-price purchase of renewable energy) prevents wider
application and further development of such outstanding technologies.

Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan

１．Traditional Japanese wisdom
was mainly formulated in the
Edo Period.
（note：”Edo” is theformer name of Tokyo)

3Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan

２．Major Features of theEdo period (1603-1868)（1） Population: 10 million (early 1600s)
33million (the end of the period)（2） Industry: Mainly, Agriculture andFisheries, which were accompanied bycommerce and handciraft.
１．Traditional Japanese wisdom was mainly formulated in the Edo Period.

43Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan（3） Religion: Buddhism and Shintoism*Christianity was strictly prohibited.

（4） Education:
not only Samurai
but also ordinary
people enjoyedhigh level of
education.
１．Traditional Japanese wisdom was mainly
formulated in the Edo Period.

543

Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan（5） National Isolation Policy:• Introduced in 1587 and Completed in 1639
• Only Dutch, Chinese, and Koreans were allowed
to visit Japan and do trade• In 1853, US Navy Commander Perry came to Edo
Bay, and forced to open Japan to Western Powers.
• 15years later, the Edo Period came to end and new
Government came to power. (Meiji Restoration)• With the beginning of the new Era, westernculture together with arms flooded into Japan.
453

Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan（6）Traditional 8-point Wisdom①Higher emphasis on spiritual well-being andpeace of mind than on attachment tomaterial wealth②Way of life based on oneness with natureand spirit of living in harmony with nature③Self-fulfillment: Learning to be contented or
knowing enough④ Deep-rooted thoughts on reincarnation andcirculatory nature of things

Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan（6）Traditional 8-point Wisdom⑤Respect for peace and harmony, andemphasis on the continuity of family⑥ Atmosphere that respects free play of themind⑦ Ancestor worship and respect for forefathers
for continuity of life and livelihood⑧ Recognition of the value of education andcommitted efforts to nurture the future
generations with affection

Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan（7）Why is it lost or became worthlessduring the last half century?
①Japan’s defeat in WW2→led to the rejection of much of pre-war values.

②The appeal of the American consumer civilizationand top priority given to the values of market
economy.
③Decline in the ability of families to educate children.
→parents lost confidence in passing down the wisdom.
8Premises (2) Traditional wisdom of Japan④ Urbanization and construction of housing complexes→led to the decline of local communities, morality and codesof behavior.

⑤Failure to explain the wisdom of traditional Japan inscientific language or logic.
⑥The burst of the bubble economy and emergence ofsociety on IT→caused people to lose interest in traditional values.

3．Why is it lost or became worthless during the last half century?
9Why Green Civilization Society?
(Necessity and Indispensability)

1
Environmental and resource limitations will not tolerate the continued
existence of conventional, mass-production/consumption society andeconomy, that use fossil fuels as a primary energy source.

２
In the course of pursuing mass production/consumption, we havewitnessed the erosion of common, traditional values that have served toensure sustainability in Japanese societies.

３
It was the socioeconomic activities spanning nearly two centuries in thepast that functioned as direct and universal factors instrumental in theerosion of values as outlined above. This has led to the degradation ofenvironment -- the foundation of all life and activities -- to a perilous level.
For this reason, it is extremely important for us to shape a new civil society
around the environment, the foundation of all sustainable societies, which
we termed the Green Civilization Society (GCS).
Conclusion

Based on the above understanding, the first precondition of a Green
Civilization Society as described here is that it should enable humans to
overcome their environmental and resource constraints to ensure theirsustainable existence. It is a society where people can live with dignity
and a sense of purpose in the face of such difficult conditions. We believein the inevitability of a Green Civilization Society, which places its primary
focus on environmental conservation instead of economic growth as in thepast, for as long as human society continues to exist.

3. Outline of Green Civilization Society(1)Perspective
Tentative Definition of Green Civilization Society(1) Terms such as “recycling-oriented society” and“low carbon society” are often used to describe asustainable society. JAES 21 has proposed a newterm “Green Civilization Society” as astraightforward expression of a society that willachieve a radical transition in its principal focus
from economic growth to sustainability of a society.

3. Outline of Green Civilization Society(2)Perspective
Tentative Definition of Green Civilization Society(2) A Green Civilization is a society where core values
such as recognition of the finite nature of our planet
are respected, social security and safety are
ensured, and a delicate equilibrium between
natural environment and economic activities(harmony) is maintained, towards the maximizationof true abundance for the humanity.
(3) We developed the term “Green Civilization
Society” to describe a society that embodies theabove requirements.

3. Outline of Green Civilization Society Perspective

Diagram of Green
Civilization Society

Lifestyle/Culture
Work/Purchase/Learning/
Living/Leisure/Transportation/
Nursing care

EconomyPolitics

Technology

Interaction

interaction

Education

Respected Values
Harmony, interdependence/altruism, moderation,
learning to be fulfilled, compassion, respect for reason

Basic Understanding: FinitenessTable: Comparison with Past Civil
Societies: Values in Different Civilizations
Agrarian/Pastoral
Industrial
Green Civilization
Civilization
Civilization
Society（Subservience to（Exploitation of （Civilization coexisting
Periodnature）
nature）
with nature）
Pre-Industrial
Industrial
FutureRevolution
Revolution-Present
Subservience to / Scant awareness on
Awareness on
utilizationof environmental
Nature Views environmental
environmental capacity
capacity(Finite)limitations(Expansion/frontier-oriented thinking)
Human-nature
Local coexistence Global exploitation
Global coexistence
relationship
Dominance andMarket competition InterdependenceInterpersonal
control according to/Altruism
relationshipsocial ranks
Tolerance of diversity

Values Respected in Green Civilization Society（１）Nature view and human-nature relationship* Global-scale coexistence beyond local-level coexistence in the
Industrial Revolution era* Nature views in the Green Civilization Society place utmost emphasison the global-scale sharing of awareness on the finite nature ofenvironmental capacity（２）Interpersonal Relationships* Incorporation of new values represented by concepts such as
interdependence/altruism and tolerance of diversity by building onliberty, equality and other conventional values respected in the pastcivilizations* Interdependence/altruism refers to the idea of caring for others often
at the cost of restraining one’s desires* Tolerance toward diversity as an insight for people to live in harmonyin the future global societyIncentives that Drive Civilizations
Agrarian/Pastor
al Civilization（Subservienceto nature）

Industrial
Civilization
Period（Exploitation ofnature）
Primarily fossil
Principal
Energy existingfuel-based energy
energy sourcesin nature(nuclear)Socially
Survival andSurvival andmotivating
psychologicaleconomic benefits
factors
security
Material affluence（Faith/ethics）

Green Civilization
Society（Coexistance withnature）
Renewable energy
Survival, economic
benefits and altruism
Spiritual abundance* While altruism (compassion for others) is not a new idea, the concept in
a Green Civilization Society also incorporates considerations for the local
community, nations, earth, and future generations.

Pillars

Education in Green Civilization Society○The emphasis in GCS is placed on offering equal educational
and learning opportunities to all people and nurturing
people who are able to share the basic understanding andvalues respected in the society and translate them into
practice in daily life and socio-economic activities, all thewhile respecting individual personality and human dignity.
<Concepts>
・ Full acceptance of the idea of finiteness /environmental ethics
・ Tolerance of diversity
・ Education to foster the concept of coexistence
・ Awareness of environment as public goods and considerations for future
generations
・ Thoughts and action in addition to knowledge〈Policies 〉(1) Integration of environmental education in all educational processes(2) Exploration of new educational opportunities(3) Formulation of new “indicators” of human growth(4) Reforming leaders and teaching environment

Pillars

Politics in Green Civilization Society○Based on a sense of public morality among individual citizens, Politics ina GCS are directed towards ensuring sustainable and moderate material
affluence, human dignity and spiritual abundance for all people andrespecting regional autonomy in the global community, with its
considerations reaching out to the socially vulnerable and future
generations.
〈Concepts 〉
・ Positioning of the environment, the foundation of all forms of life and humanactivities, at the center of political decision-making.
・Mechanism in which the voices of future generations are reflected
・Global-scale decision-making〈Policies 〉
・ Meaningful participation of citizens (participatory democracy)(participation inelections/ political parties and on policy levels)
・Transformation of political decision-making processes / Mechanism for accepting
proposals by NPOs, etc. based on their highly professional expertise・Establishment of autonomous zones on appropriate scales
・Inauguration of a climate security council

Pillars

Economy in Green Civilization Society○ A Green Civilization Society seeks to integrate economy withenvironment, humanity and society through assurance of communitylevel autonomy and stability, based on a search for an optimal solution
from a comprehensive viewpoint that considers the providence of nature,
instead of working out an optimal solution from a narrow perspective of
profit/income maximization.
〈Concepts 〉
・ A shift in focus from quantitative growth to qualitative growth・ Establishment of new rules for building a disciplined market economy that
adequately reflects the limitations of and balances prevalent in nature and thatincorporates virtues and ethics that reflect people’s ideas
・ Securing job opportunities to extend a safety net for all people〈Policies 〉
・ Emphasis on Bio-(Buddhist) economics and volunteer economics
・ Emphasis on regional economy and equilibrium between “local” and “global”
・ Free economy under the CAP （ restrictions on GHG emissions and space
utilization）framework

PillarsTechnology in Green Civilization Society○A Green Civilization Society embraces two directions: a positive outlook
on technology as a problem-solving tool to aggressively promotetechnologies that can fulfill the needs of the future society; andmitigating the negative aspects of conventional technologies andrestraining the use of technologies that increase the environmental load.
〈Transition to new technology systems 〉
・ Technology that utilizes natural energy
・Independent and autonomous local technology
・ Diverse forms of natural harmonization technology
・Cutting-edge technology based on understanding of nature and laws of nature(e.g. biomimicry)〈Transition on the side of technology-handling society 〉
・ Prevention of negative aspects of technology (building social consensus ontechnology utilization in accordance with the scale of their impact)
・ Restraints on freedom of technology development (strategic application of
preventive measures)
・ Fair evaluation of technology (mitigating the asymmetrical nature of information)
・ Improvement of technical literacy and technical communication

４． Conceptual Image of Urban Life in 2030
Food ①・People grow vegetables in kitchen (corporate) gardens on
condo verandahs and rooftops or company building
rooftops, or in community gardens, which encourages
greening and higher self-sufficiency rate. The harvested
crops are shared by neighborhood families, promoting
exchanges among members of the local community.
・Residents help out in nearby farms over the weekends andpurchase fresh, locally-grown and -harvested food. About
70 percent of their food consumption needs are met byproduce grown in the residing and nearby prefectures, aspart of efforts to become more self-sufficient.

・Networks built to link cities with farming and fishingvillages serve to raise the nation’s food self-sufficiency rate.

Food ②・People who are too busy to cook can use a nearby deli(local kitchen) or eat out at a community restaurant
to take advantage of community’s mutual help
network.
・Residents organized into groups take turns to assume
responsibility for meal preparation.
・Cooking classes are held during company lunch hours
to encourage company workers to learn cooking.
・ The entire family takes part in cooking and sits
together for meals, as more people cook at home andenjoy better communication in the family.
・Food waste is reduced by eating more wisely andrecycling kitchen waste.

Living / Community ①・Cities are limited to a manageable scale that enables thesustenance of urban functions.
・Many homes have a park or green space nearby that canbe used for a morning walk.
・The spirit of neighborly companionship – alive and well
until around 1950s and 1960s – is revived in people’s wayof life.
・ Residents of several generations live in condos, rather
than detached houses.
Nursing care homes areconstructed for senior citizens.
・ Institutions for mutual help beyond blood ties areincorporated, where young people care for elderly citizens
living alone and senior citizens help with childcare(Suggestion of Eco Village).

Living / Community②・Currently available public spaces (such as closed schoolbuildings) are renovated to build communal housing.
・Condos are built at medium/low height with three or four
floors, with the rooftop set aside for vegetable gardens andgreens.

・Eco-houses that have less impact on the environment are
constructed with environment-friendly devices, e.g. using
natural air stream for ventilation, collecting rainwater, or
taking advantage of natural energy in other ways.
・Solar cells, fuel cells and other forms of renewable energy
are used for everyday energy needs.
・ Appliances with certified eco-friendly performance “Top
Runner
Program”
areintroducedinrentalaccommodations.

Work / Commuting ①
・ The average commuting time is less than one hour,or a distance that enables the worker to walk home intimes of emergency.
・ Cycling roads are constructed and expanded to
discourage driving to work.
・ Diverse styles of work are offered beyond shorter
working hours including flextime, so that people havea choice in the way they work.
・All young people have jobs where they find joy inworking.

・Corporate culture becomes more worker-oriented as
people actualize social needs through work.

Work / Commuting ②
・A proper, clear-cut wage system is in place so thatanyone willing to work in earnest is able to earn aliving. Equal pay for equal jobs.
・ Restrictions on overtime and work sites equippedwith child-care facilities enable working parents towork and take care of their children more easily.
・ Instead of dividing jobs according to sex, work istransformed so that men and women help each otherout in the community, adapting their ways of living
and eating.

・A mandatory once-a-week “Family Day” is enforced.

Play / Leisure・Enjoyable leisure activities are offered through eco
tours, hands-on experience in nature, and teaching oftraditional games and play in the local community.
・ Experience-based primary industry tours offer fun
ways to learn the importance of primary industries.

Purchase / Use / Manufacture
・ With a shift in emphasis from ownership to use,
rental and lease arrangements are available for home
appliances and automobiles.
・ Environmental load is displayed
product/service along with price.

on

each

Childcare / Welfare / Medical Services
・An environment in which people can raise children
with affection is offered.
・Children are taught in the family to have compassion
for others and realize the importance of non-monetary
values.
・The financial burden of childcare, education, nursing
care and medical expenses is not excessive.
・Citizens have access to good childcare, medical andwelfare services and programs.
・ The local community offers places where welfare
services are provided in combination with childcare.

Learning / Fostering
・Places of learning outside the school are madeavailable in the community.
・ Eco Villages offer opportunities for people tolearn from each other beyond the generation gap.
・School buildings after pupils go home are used asa teaching place for adults.

・ University graduates engage in one-year
volunteer activities before landing a job.
・The community has many facilities where people
can learn about the environment.

４．Conceptual Image of Regional Life in 2030
Food
・The nation’s self-sufficiency rate is around 70 percent,with high priority placed on food diplomacy.
・Larger numbers of people are engaged in agriculture andother primary industries, raising the domestic selfsufficiency rate.
・Citizens have ample opportunities to learn wise ways ofeating, diet education and other issues associated withfood.
・Family members have meals together.
・Locally-grown and locally-marketed foods are the norm.

・ Businesses grow or manufacture foods to supply theneeds of their employees.

Work・ The implementation of work sharing, improvement ofoccupational training, and other programs serve to securejobs and offer career choices.
・Restrictions are enforced on overtime. The number ofpaid holidays excluding Saturdays and Sundays totals 30
days a year.
・ There are many small, flexible companies in thecommunity.
・Workers take pride in working for society by utilizing
their capacities.

Purchase / Use・Information on environmental load is displayed on eachproduct in a highly visible format.
・ Manufacturers and businesses produce the optimum
amount of products while consumers use good-quality
products for many years.
・ With fully developed environment-friendly production
systems in place, everyone is a green consumer.

Learning・ School education is free with increased government
assistance.
・The quality of education as a whole is upgraded throughimprovements in the quality of teaching staff.
・A wide range of places for learning outside the school
education system are offered in the local community toenhance opportunities for learning.
・Teachings on ways of life including moral principles are
given alongside basic education.

Living・Houses are constructed using locally produced timber andresources. Town planning incorporates abundant greenerywith eco-houses that utilize natural energy.
・Town planning is designed to discourage dependence on
motor vehicles to create a community where residents can
get around comfortably on foot and bicycles.
・Living in cooperative housing promotes exchanges in thelocal community.

Vacationing / Leisure・ Low-cost, comfortable and clean vacation
facilities are available in large numbers.
・Less energy-dependent leisure activities for all
people to enjoy are developed and widely popular.
・Eco-tourism and green tourism are promoted toensure a certain level of income for people in thelocal community.
・ Traditional culture and art performances andevents are organized closer to home for easy
access.

Transportation ①・People have more time on their hands as work places arelocated closer to home and commuting distances become
shorter.
・Public transport networks are expanded, with local lines
crisscrossing the nation.

・With cycling roads constructed throughout the country,
bikes serve as a handy mode of transportation for
distances of up to 30 kilometers.
・Water transportation systems are revived.

Transportation ②
・The popularity of park-and-ride system offers a safe
environment in the city for children to play.
・People move from one place to another at slower speeds.
・People are encouraged to use small vehicles, eco-cars
and community buses (mass transit systems including
local lines are underdeveloped today).

Nursing Care / Childbirth / Childcare
・Grand parents, parents and children live together, sothat older people may feel a sense of worth by playing
a role in children’s education.
・The average number of children per family is around
2.5.
・The primary school district forms one big family asneighborhoods and community play a part in nursing
care and child care.

Social Exchanges
・Numerous places for social exchanges in thecommunity help to reduce the number of seniorcitizens suffering from loneliness.

Creative and Cultural Activities
・Public funding is made available to cultural activities
in the local community.
・Cultural facilities are built as places where children
can get acquainted with grown-ups they can look up
to and where they can hang around after school.
・Autonomous energy systems are in place, enabling
residents to generate the energy they consume.
・Traditional culture in the local community is passed
on, as people have ample opportunities to appreciatetraditional culture.

Roadmap and Policy Instrument
toward Green Civilization Society
This issue will be examined over the
next year and beyond.