Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
This booklet Abridged and Illustrated for Easy Understanding—Annual Report on the Environment in Japan is a summary of the Quality of the Environment in Japan 2005 (White Paper), an annual report on the environment issued by the Government, published on June 17, 2005. The content of this booklet was edited to reach out to a wider readership with a more readable publication. This booklet offers an overview on the subject of “A Low Carbon Society—A New Era Shaped by ‘People’ and ‘System’” (in Part One) as well as a digest of environmental conservation policies and measures implemented by the Government in FY 2004 (in Part Two).
The Quality of the Environment in Japan 2005 was printed by Gyosei Corporation. The Ministry of the Environment also published the Annual Report on the Environment for Children on November 17, 2005, which is edited for easy understanding by primary and middle school students. They are also available on the Ministry of the Environment websites:
Quality of the Environment in Japan (http://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/)
Annual Report on the Environment for Children (http://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/kodomo.html) They are presented in Japanese only.
Back issues of Quality of the Environment in Japan and Abridged and Illustrated for Easy Understanding—Annual Report on the Environment in Japan are available on the Ministry of the Environment website (http://www.env.go.jp/en/w-paper/index.html).
Besides the topics covered in this booklet, the Quality of the Environment in Japan 2005 also introduces the following websites for your reference:
○ Toward the Realization of a Virtuous Circle for Environment and Economy in Japan (http://www.env.go.jp/policy/env_econo/index.html)
○ Ecominister (My family’s Minister of the Environment) (http://www.env.go.jp/policy/wagaya/index.html) (in Japanese only)
○ EcoFamily Website (http://www.eco-family.jp/) (in Japanese only)
○ Global Environment Information Centre (http://www.geic.or.jp/geic/)

The drawing on the front cover is the work of Akane Iwao, a then third-year student at the Oita Prefectural Hijiyoukoku High School. The drawing won the Minister of the Environment Award (General Category) in the 2005 White Paper on the Environment Cover Page Illustration Contest sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Environment Association.

Ms. Iwao commented, “I drew with the hope that, by supporting the global environment, we can co-exist with many other living things on earth in the future.”

The drawing on the back cover is the work of Satsuki Suzuki, a then fourth-grade student at the Sendai City Municipal Yoshinari Primary School in Miyagi Prefecture. It received honorable mention in the same Cover Page Illustration Contest.

Ms. Suzuki commented, “A society kind to the environment is a society that protects the earth, and that means a society where all living things live together by being nice to and supporting each other. The earth is very small in the whole universe and human beings are even smaller. But if we work together, we can protect our precious planet—the Earth.”
## Contents

## ○ Annual Report on the Environment in FY 2004

Part One
Overview: A Low Carbon Society—A New Era Shaped by “People” and “System”

Chapter 1 Earth’s Future Built on the Kyoto Protocol

Section 1 Kyoto Protocol Set in Motion 2

Section 2 Impacts of Global Warming 4

Section 3 Ultimate Goal of the Kyoto Protocol 5

Chapter 2 Society-wide Efforts towards the Creation of an Environmentally Advanced Nation

Section 1 An Environmentally Advanced Nation Shapes a New Era 8

Section 2 Initiatives at Home 9

Section 3 Initiatives at Schools 10

Section 4 Corporate Initiatives 10

Section 5 Initiatives by Citizens’ Groups 11

Section 6 Local Initiatives 12

Chapter 3 People and Systems for Shaping a New Era—and Building a Network

Section 1 People for Shaping a New Era 13

Section 2 Systems for Shaping a New Era 14

Section 3 A Network Linking Actors 17

Conclusion: From the New Basic Environment Plan to an Environmentally Advanced Nation 19

## Part Two

Current Environmental Issues and Environmental Conservation Measures by the Government

○ Environmental Conservation Measures to be Implemented in FY 2005
# ○ Annual Report on the Environment in FY 2004

Part One

Overview: A Low Carbon Society—A New Era Shaped by “People” and “System”
Note: Of Annex I Parties, the emissions of Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Turkey, and Belarus are not included, because their national reports had not been submitted prior to the adoption of the Protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol enters into force 90 days after the following two conditions are fulfilled:

(i) At least 55 countries must ratify the protocol.

(ii) The total $ CO_{2} $ emissions from Annex-I Parties that have ratified the protocol must exceed 55% of the total $ CO_{2} $ emissions of all Annex-I Parties in 1990.

Note: The number of ratified countries is as of April 29, 2005.

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on data from the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

### 2. Significance of the Entry into Force of the Kyoto Protocol

With the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, the Annex-I Parties became legally bound to meet the quantified emission requirements. The commitment of the Kyoto Protocol is a “commitment to the international community,” also a “commitment to the Earth” to protect the earth’s ecosystem as a whole, and a “commitment to the future” with future generations.

When the latest emissions of greenhouse gases by developed countries are compared to those recorded in 1990, the emissions of Japan and Canada, as well as countries that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol such as the United States and Australia, have increased. Emissions of the overall EU have slightly decreased, and countries drastic decline.

Quantified GHG Emission Limitation or Reduction Commitments of Annex-I Parties

EU (15 countries), Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland	- 8%
U.S.A.	- 7%
Canada, Hungary, Japan, Poland	- 6%
Croatia	- 5%
New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine	0%
Norway	+ 1%
Australia	+ 8%
Iceland	+ 10%

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on data from the Secretariat of the UNFCCC.

of the overall EU have slightly decreased, and countries with economies in transition, such as Russia, have seen a drastic decline.
Changes in the GHG Emissions by Major Developed Countries

Notes:

1. Calculated from the total emissions of six greenhouse gases reported by each country to the Secretariat of the Convention.

2. Some countries did not report any of the HFCs, PFCs, and $ SF_{6} $ emissions. Because Japan's 1990 emission report does not contain the emissions of HFCs, PFCs, and $ SF_{6} $ , the value here is different from the ratio using the base year's total emissions as stated in the Kyoto Protocol (the ratio of 2002 value to the base year value; increase of 7.6%).

3. Russia did not report the total emissions for 2002; thus, the 1999 value (the latest) was used.

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on data from the Secretariat of the UNFCCC.

In FY 2003, Japan’s total GHG emissions reached 1,339 million tons*, 8.3% increase from 1,237 million tons* of 1990, which is the base year of the Kyoto Protocol. The base year for HFCs, PFCs and SF $ _{6} $ is 1995. Since the quantified commitment of Japan for the first commitment period is a 6% reduction, the gap has widened to 14.3%.

$ ^{*} $ CO $ _{2} $ equivalent

Japan's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Source: Ministry of the Environment

[Base year]
CO2	1990
CH4
N2O
HFC	1995
PFC
SF6

## Section 2 Impacts of Global Warming

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Assessment Report published in 2001 reports that the global mean surface temperature has increased by approximately $ 0.6^{\circ} $ C, and the global mean sea level has risen approximately 10–20cm over the 20th century. Various climate changes have been observed, as exemplified by the higher frequency of heavy rainfall at mid-to-high latitudes in the northern hemisphere.

Although there might be positive effects in some areas or fields as long as temperature increases caused

Changes Observed in Recent Years

Index	Changes Observed
Global mean surface temperature	Increased by approximately 0.6 $ {}^{\circ} $ C over the 20th century
Global mean sea level	Increased by 10-20cm over the 20th century
Hot days/Heat index	Increased (likely)
Cold/frost days	Decreased for nearly all land areas during the 20th century
Heavy precipitation events	Increased at mid- and high latitudes in the northern hemisphere
Drought	Increased frequency in some areas
Glacier	Receded in wide areas
Snow cover	Decreased in area by 10 % since the 1960s (very likely)

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the IPCC Third Assessment Report.

by global warming remain slight; the risk would increase as temperatures rise, the report also warns.

In Japan, mean surface temperature has risen by about $ 1^{\circ} $ C during the 20th century. In recent years, changes in
develop, disseminate and invest in technology. We also need to envision, from a mid-to-long term perspective, what kind of society we want to build and take actions toward that vision. As early as 1996, the EU agreed, focusing on the long term, on the goal of maintaining the global temperature so that it would not increase by more than $ 2^{\circ} $ C from the pre-Industrial Revolution level. This agreement was reconfirmed by the European Council in March 2005. Each individual EU country has also begun to set up their own specific long-term goals.

Measures Taken by Selected EU Countries

Country and Date of Measure	Announced by or in:	Mid-term Targets	Long-term Targets
Germany (October 2003)	German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU)	· Reduce 45 - 60 % (from the 1990 level) of the world's CO $ _2 $ emissions by 2050.	· Limit the maximum increase of surface temperature to 2 $ {}^{\circ} $ C from the pre-Industrial Revolution level and less than 0.2 $ {}^{\circ} $ C in 10 years. · Control the CO $ _2 $ concentration at no more than 450 ppm.
United Kingdom (February 2003)	Energy White Paper	· Reduce 60% of CO $ _2 $ emissions from current level by 2050.	· Control the CO $ _2 $ concentration in the atmosphere at no more than 550 ppm.
France (March 2004)	Interministerial Task-Force on Climate Change	· Limit the per capita annual CO $ _2 $ emissions to 0.5 ton (carbon eq.) by 2050. · Reduce the world's overall annual emissions to 3 billion tons (carbon eq.) by 2050.	· Stabilize the CO $ _2 $ concentration in the atmosphere at no more than 450 ppm.
Sweden (November 2002)	Swedish Environmental Protection Agency	· Limit per capita GHG emissions in developed countries to 4.5 tons (carbon eq., currently 8.3 tons) by 2050, and then further reduce the emission gradually.	· Stabilize the concentrations of GHGs (6 gases stipulated by the Kyoto Protocol) in the atmosphere at 550 ppm. (About 500 ppm in the CO $ _2 $ concentration.)

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment

### 3. The Next Framework

In order to build an equitable and effective framework when the first commitment period ends in 2012, it is important to set up common rules to which all countries, including the U.S. and developing countries, would adhere.

The United States, which currently does not support the Kyoto Protocol, is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. For the next framework to be an effective international undertaking in mitigating global warming, the

Total CO $ _{2} $ Emissions and Per Capita CO $ _{2} $ Emissions by Country

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, EDMC Handbook of Energy & Economic Statistics in Japan 2005.
participation of the United States is indispensable.

Per capita emissions in developing countries are still low compared to that in developed countries, and the majority of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions in the past and present were emitted by developed countries. In addition, the state and capacity of each country in combating global warming is different. Under these circumstances, developed countries must cooperate in and support global warming countermeasures undertaken by developing countries. As the emissions of greenhouse gases by developing countries are expected to exceed those of the

Projected CO $ _{2} $ Emissions of Developed and Developing Countries

Source: Kainuma et al. Climate Policy Assessment, Springer (2002)

developed countries as soon as in 2010, the next framework must also incorporate effective measures to control the actual emissions of the developing countries.

### 4. Japan’s Challenge of Building a Low Carbon Society

To achieve the ultimate objective of stabilizing the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stipulated by the convention, the world must work at reducing the emissions on a long-term and continuous basis. Under this circumstance, Japan must take the lead in building a society that emits little greenhouse gases, or a low carbon society.

What specifically is the low carbon society we are going to build? The destination of our long journey is a question now posed on us.
# Chapter 2

## Society-wide Efforts towards the Creation of an Environmentally Advanced Nation

## Summary of Chapter 2>

To realize a low carbon society, it is necessary to work towards the creation of an “environmentally advanced nation” (creation of a sustainable society), in which all actors in all aspects of life care for the environment. This chapter focuses on the cultivation of “people” who carry out voluntary environmental conservation activities and the development of “systems” which help organizations and the entire society to facilitate environmental conservation, and takes a look at various initiatives being launched throughout the country.

## Section 1 An Environmentally Advanced Nation Shapes a New Era

To ensure continued reduction of $ CO_{2} $ emissions resulting from energy use, the main cause of global warming, it is necessary to promote measures that efficiently and effectively combine the following three elements: “energy consumption efficiency,” “ $ CO_{2} $ emission intensity per energy consumption (carbon intensity),” and “volume of activities.” To improve “energy consumption efficiency” and reduce “carbon intensity,” technology developments are indispensable. At the same time, from the standpoint of “volume of activities,” it is essential that we reconsider our lifestyles and socio-economic activities that are dependent on mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal, and practice more environmentally conscious daily life and business activities.

Three Ways of Reducing CO₂ Emissions

The path we have chosen to pursue toward a low carbon society lies in our efforts to realize a society that is healthy in both economy and environment. In the efforts we seek to reduce GHG emissions while actualizing sound development of an economy with a low environmental load and a high quality of life. It is necessary to develop and diffuse energy-saving equipment, enhance energy use efficiency, and accelerate technology development; and it is equally important to enhance environmental awareness, which leads to each individual's voluntary environmental conservation activities.

By taking part in such efforts, it would be possible for us to develop and share greater interest in environmental issues and work together in environmental conservation initiatives. This will eventually lead us to a sustainable society.

Building a sustainable society requires nurturing people who voluntarily act for environmental conservation in all scenes of life. And it is equally important to create “systems” for transforming our socio-economic systems to an environment-friendly one. Such initiatives have already begun by some actors aiming at the realization of a sustainable society.
Local governments are expected to play the role of developing “systems” and “people” that encourage individuals and local actors (companies and citizens’ groups) to reduce environmental load in their daily living and business activities.

Fundamental environment ordinances and basic environment plans that clarify the basic concepts and policies of local governments are currently under preparation throughout the country. In Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, the “Hirosaki Basic Environment Plan (Hirosaki Agenda 21)” was formulated with the participation of citizens in March 2001. In order to promote the plan, the city concluded an agreement with “Hirosaki Environment Partnership 21” (HEP21), an independent citizens’ organization, and jointly held courses and lectures, as well as citizens’ forums organized by HEP21. The city pays the working expenses of HEP21.

While the total number of local government staff has been decreasing in recent years, the number of officers listed under the environmental conservation and pollution sections has been on the increase. In the 11 years between 1994 and 2004, the figure increased by 7% in prefectures and 6% in municipalities. The number of staff is growing in larger local governments. In the case of many small local governments, however, they have no officers specializing in environmental conservation. Thus, the question is how to promote environmental administration in small local governments.

Number of Officers in the Environmental Conservation and Pollution Sections in Prefectures and Municipalities

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Survey on the Total Number Management of Civil Servants in Local Governments.

Number of Officers in the Environmental Conservation and Pollution Sections by Population Size

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Population Derived from the Basic Resident Registers and 2004 Survey on the Total Number Management of Civil Servants in Local Governments.
### 1. Environmental Policy for Shaping a New Era

## (1) Policy Concepts for Shaping a New Era

### A. Relationship between the Environment and Economy

The Basic Environment Plan emphasizes the importance of the idea of integrating the environment and economy in building a sustainable society. In an effort to maximize the efficiency of resources and energy use and reduce the environmental load per unit of economic activity, the concept of eco-efficiency, expressed in environmental load per unit of economic activity, has been brought forth.

International Comparison of Changes in Eco-efficiency

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the EDCM Handbook of Energy & Economic Statistics in Japan 2004 and OECD Environmental Data Compendium 2002.

It is also necessary to control generation of environmental load as much as possible throughout the entire product lifecycle, from extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, distribution and use, to recycling (proper disposal of wastes). For this purpose, the concept of “extended producer responsibility” has been introduced, positing that the producer has a specific responsibility, both physically and financially, for the proper recycling and disposal of its products, even after a product is used and disposed of. There is also the concept of “environmentally sensitive design (eco-design)” that aims to improve the eco-efficiency of the overall product lifecycle through product design, production technology and system management.

In addition, the concept of “dematerialization” calls for reducing resource consumption in economic activities by offering only the functions of a product, instead of marketing the product itself.

### B. Relationship between the Environment and Society

Population growth and the expansion and sophistication of socio-economic activities are causing rapid increases in the consumption of energy and resources. It is necessary to examine social structures from the standpoint of sustainability. It is also required to incorporate environmental consideration into all aspects of society. The policy of “integration of the environment and society” can be approached, for example, through the relationship between
## (2) Building a Sound Material-cycle Society

At the G8 Summit held in Sea Island, Georgia, U.S.A. in June 2004, Japan’s Prime Minister Koizumi proposed the “3R Initiatives” aimed at building a sound material-cycle society through the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle), winning the consensus of heads of other nations. Based on this agreement, a ministerial meeting for launching the 3R Initiatives was held in Tokyo between April 28 and 30, 2005.

### 3. Environmental Administration through Cooperation between Central and Local Governments

In line with the recent moves toward administrative reform including the decentralization, systems in which central and local governments can jointly and positively tackle environmental problems are being established. These systems can help realize effective environmental administration at the local level. They also become a basis for creating a better environment, which in turn leads to a better community. For example, in FY 2005 the Ministry of the Environment instituted a system for central and local governments to prepare a plan to promote the creation of a sound material-cycle society, by exchanging opinions from the planning stage, and to pursue comprehensive and regional facility development. In addition, the Ministry of the Environment will open Regional Environment Offices in the seven regional blocks of the country in October 2005 in order to facilitate environmental administration that meets regional needs and conditions.

Location of the Regional Environment Offices and Their Jurisdictions

Note: When an area that should be under a single administration extends over the jurisdictional area of two or more Regional Environment Offices, or when recognized as necessary, the Minister of the Environment may grant an exception to the jurisdictional areas. Source: Ministry of the Environment
# Part Two Current Environmental Issues and Environmental Conservation Measures by the Government

Part Two of the Quality of the Environment in Japan 2005 (White Paper) introduces in the chapters below the environmental conservation policies and measures implemented in FY 2004 based on the state of environmental problems and in line with the Basic Environment Plan. Part Two of this booklet will report on the issues and current state of environmental problems in the major fields.
Chapter One:	Conservation of the Global Atmospheric Environment
Chapter Two:	Conservation of the Atmospheric Environment (not including the global atmospheric environment)
Chapter Three:	Conservation of the Water, Soil, and Ground Environments
Chapter Four:	Measures and Policies related to the Material Cycle, including Waste and Recycling Measures
Chapter Five:	Measures for Chemical Substances
Chapter Six:	Conservation of the Natural Environment and Promoting Contact with Nature
Chapter Seven:	Basis of Various Measures, and Measures Facilitating the Participation of Various Actors and International Cooperation

### 1. Conservation of the Global Atmospheric Environment

## (1) Global Warming

Expanding human activities have discharged vast quantities of carbon dioxide $ \left(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\right) $ , methane and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. In recent years, these gases have enhanced the greenhouse effect and given rise to the threat of global warming.

According to the Third Assessment Report: Climate Change 2001 published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global mean surface temperature has increased by approximately $ 0.6^{\circ} $ C over the 20th century, and consequently the mean global sea level has risen by approximately 10–20cm. The progress of global warming may have far-reaching and serious effects on the living environment of humans and the natural habitats of other living organisms.

CO $ _{2} $ Emissions in Japan

Source: Ministry of the Environment