Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
Of the amounts of GHGs emitted in Japan in FY 2003, $ CO_{2} $ emission was 1,259 million tons, with a per capita emission of 9.87 tons. Compared to the FY 1990 figures (the base year of the Kyoto Protocol), the total emission has increased by 12.2% and the per capita emission by 8.7%. A breakdown by sector shows that emission from the industries has increased by 0.3%, while that of the commercial and other sector has increased by 36.1%, the residential sector by 31.4% and the transportation sector by 19.8%.

(1) Direct Contribution of Anthropogenic GHG Emissions to Global Warming after the Industrial Revolution (as of 1998)

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

(2) Direct Contribution of GHGs Emitted by Japan to Global Warming (FY 2003)

Note: CFCs and HCFCs, also greenhouse gases, are excluded. UNFCCC does not require reporting for these gases and their emission data have not been established.

Source: Ministry of the Environment

In May 2002, Japan revised the “Climate Change Policy Law,” and ratified the Kyoto Protocol in June of the same year, which sets legally binding numerical targets for greenhouse gas emissions in developed nations. With the Russian ratification of the Protocol in November 2004, the conditions for the entry into force of the Protocol was fulfilled. Thus the Kyoto Protocol entered into force on February 16, 2005. One hundred and forty-nine countries and the EU ratified the Kyoto Protocol as of April, 2005.

Because $ CO_{2} $ arises from every aspect of human

## Floor Space by Business Type in the Commercial Sector

Source: The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, EDMC Handbook of Energy & Economic Statistics in Japan

activities, curbing its emission requires collective efforts by all actors of society from national and local governments to business operators and each individual citizen. In pursuing measures against global warming, an effective mechanism for both economy and environment must be developed and established.

## (2) Depletion of the Ozone Layer

It has been known that the ozone layer is being destroyed by ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). There is concern that depletion of the ozone layer may increase the quantity of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth, causing growth impediment of organisms and health damages in humans such as skin cancer and cataracts.

The ozone layer is being depleted over almost the entire globe, except for the tropics. In Japan, a long-term depletion of the ozone layer has been observed above Sapporo, Tsukuba, and Kagoshima. The extent of decrease is especially notable above Sapporo. Over Antarctica, the largest scale of ozone depletion that ever appeared was recorded in 2003.

In Japan, in order to prevent further depletion of the ozone layer, the production of ozone-depleting substances is regulated pursuant to the Ozone Layer Protection Law. In addition, the recovery and destruction of fluorocarbons at the disposal stage of products are mandated by the Home Appliance Recycling Law, the Fluorocarbons Recovery and Destruction Law, and the End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Law.
Changes in the Annual Average of Total Ozone Amount over Japan

### 2. Conservation of the Atmospheric Environment (not including the global atmospheric environment)

## (1) Acid Deposition and Dust and Sandstorms

Acid deposition can produce various effects on the environment and living creatures such as trees or fish by increasing acidity in soil, lake water, etc. Buildings, artificial constructions and cultural assets can be affected by acid deposition. In the U.S. and Europe, acidification of lakes/reservoirs and the decline of forests caused by acid deposition have been reported.

In Japan, long-term monitoring of acid deposition is carried out to detect its effects as early as possible and to forecast the effects in the future.

The monitoring results of acid deposition suggest that rain and snow are still as acidic in Japan as in the U.S. and Europe. However, at present, there is little reason to believe that acid deposition has caused any widespread damage to vegetation. As it is generally believed that the impact of acid deposition may take a long time to become apparent, it may surface in the future if the current level of acid deposition continues.

The Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) started its activities on a regular basis in January 2001 to share a common understanding of the state of the acid deposition problems in East Asia and to contribute to cooperation on various issues related to acid deposition.

Dust and sandstorms (DSS) have been increasing both in frequency and intensity in Northeast Asia in recent years. Measures against DSS are a common concern for China, Korea, Japan and other countries in the region. Inside Japan, the government has stepped up the system of DSS monitoring. An international effort is also being made to study effective DSS prevention and control measures for the future, with the cooperation of four countries (China, Mongolia, Korea and Japan) and four international organizations, e.g. the United Nations Environment Programme, co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the Global Environment Facility.
FY 2001 average / FY 2002 average / FY 2003 average

※ : Invalid data (disregarded based on the annual assessment criteria).

Note: For the Akagi area, annual averages cannot be calculated in years when heavy snowfall prevents data collection. Source: Data from the Ministry of the Environment

## (2) Photochemical Oxidants

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from factories, business establishments, and automobiles form primary pollutants, which react in the presence of sunlight (photochemical reaction) to form secondary substances such as ozone and other substances, known collectively as photochemical oxidants. Photochemical oxidants are the cause of photochemical smog, which causes eye and throat irritation and respiratory distress. In almost all regions throughout Japan, photochemical oxidants still exceed the EQS (a one-hour value of 0.06 ppm or less).
As one of the measures to combat photochemical oxidants, the Air Pollution Control Law was revised in May 2004 to control VOC emissions from factories. Adequately combining VOC's emission regulations and voluntary efforts by business operators, the revised law will be effective in harnessing VOC emissions. In FY 2006, VOC emitters will be required to notify VOC-emitting facilities and to meet regulatory standard values. There is also great expectation for the voluntary efforts of businesses. To control VOC emissions from automobile exhaust gas, regulations have been in place and stepped up successively in accordance with the Air Pollution Control Law.

Through the Atmospheric Environmental Regional Observation System (nickname Soramame-kun), real-time data on the atmospheric environment is measured, and information

Changes in the Number of Monitoring Stations by Photochemical Oxidant Concentration Level (AAPMSs and RAPMSs) (FY 1999–2003)

Source: Compiled from the Ministry of the Environment, FY 2003 Report on the State of Air Pollution.

concerning the issuance of photochemical oxidants alarms or warnings by local governments nationwide is collected and announced on the Internet.

## (3) Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is a by-product of combustion, generated mainly from stationary sources, such as factories, and mobile sources, such as motor vehicles. NOx is a causal substance of photochemical oxidants, suspended particulate matter, and acid rain. Nitrogen dioxide (NO $ _{2} $ ) at a high concentration may cause irritation to the respiratory organs and cause other harmful effects.

Compared to the previous year, the achievement rates of the EQSs for $ NO_{2} $ in FY 2003 improved. The achievement rate of the ambient air pollution monitoring stations (AAPMSs) was 99.9%, and that of the roadside air pollution monitoring stations (RAPMSs) was 85.7%.

Changes in the Attainment of the EQS for Nitrogen Dioxide (FY 1999 – 2003)

Source: Compiled from the Ministry of the Environment, FY 2003 Report on the State of Air Pollution.

## (4) Suspended Particulate Matter

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air with a diameter of $ 10\mu m $ or less is classified into primary particles or secondary particles. Primary particles include soot and dust from factories, diesel exhaust particles (DEP) generated from diesel vehicles, and soil particles dispersed in the air. Secondary particles are those formed by chemical reaction.
within the atmosphere from gaseous substances, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). Because SPM is of a minute size, it remains in the air for extended periods. An accumulation of SPM in high concentrations in the lungs or the trachea can have damaging effects on the respiratory system.

The achievement rates of the EQS for suspended particulate matter improved in FY 2003 compared to the previous year.

Changes in the Attainment of the EQS for Suspended Particulate Matter (FY 1999 – 2003)

Source: Compiled from the Ministry of the Environment, FY 2003 Report on the State of Air Pollution.

Furthermore, studies are being conducted on fine particulate matter with a diameter of $ 2.5 \mu m $ or less and diesel exhaust particles, because their impacts on human health have raised concerns in recent years.

## (5) Hazardous Air Pollutants

Various chemical substances, though low in concentrations, have been detected in the atmosphere, raising concern about the health effects of long-term exposure to these substances. In FY 2003, the level of benzene exceeded the EQS at 33 monitoring points, 7.8% of the 424 total points.

Pursuant to the Air Pollution Control Law, standards were set up to control the emissions of specified substances, such as benzene, and voluntary measures by businesses to control emissions were encouraged. Simple calculation of the total emissions of twelve substances that are targeted by the voluntary management plans in FY 2003 shows a substantial reduction rate of 57%, decreasing from approximately 38,000 tons in FY 1999 to 16,000 tons in FY 2003.

## (6) Noise, Vibration, and Offensive Odors

Complaints about noise and vibration have increased gradually in the last few years, totaling 15,928 and 2,608 in FY 2003 respectively. Complaints about offensive odors, especially about open incineration, have increased drastically since FY 1997. The trend is on the rise in the last several years, reaching a record of 24,587 complaints in FY 2003.

For car noise in areas facing roads, the state of compliance with the EQS in FY 2003 was as follows: 1,933 thousand (80.7%) out of assessed 2,395 thousand households facing roads were within the satisfactory level stipulated by the EQS for both day and night. Among those household facing roads, 1,016 thousand households were near trunk roads, out of which 709 thousand households (69.8%) were within the EQS’s satisfactory level. As for aircraft noise, 71.4% of households were within the satisfactory level the EQS in FY 2002.
Attainment of the EQS for Transportation Noise

Note: [ ] indicates the number of households surveyed. Source: Ministry of the Environment

For noise and vibration coming from factories, business establishments, automobiles, and aircrafts, permissible limits and EQSs were set up pursuant to the Noise Regulation Law and the Vibration Regulation Law in order to impose restrictions.

## (7) Heat Island Phenomenon

The heat island phenomenon occurs when the temperature rises more in urban areas than in surrounding suburban areas. This phenomenon results in an increase in the number of sultry nights in the summer. As waste heat from air conditioners raises the temperature, more energy is consumed as air conditioning works harder still, creating a vicious cycle.

Distribution of High Temperature Areas in the Tokyo Region (1981 and 1999)

Distribution of High Temperature Areas in the Tokyo Region in 1999

Source: Ministry of the Environment, Report on the Heat Island Phenomenon—Analysis of the Current State and Countermeasures

In March 2004, concerned ministries and agencies put together the “Outline of the Policy Framework to Reduce Urban Heat Island Effects” to facilitate policy implementation. The Outline consists of four pillars of measures, including the reduction of anthropogenic exhaust heat, improvement of urban surface, improvement of urban structure, and improvement of lifestyle.
### 3. Conservation of the Water, Soil, and Ground Environments

## (1) Water Environment

According to the Results of FY 2003 Measurement of Water Quality in Public Waters, the achievement level of the EQS for the protection of human health from substances, such as cadmium, was 99.3%. Standards set for protecting the living environment were achieved at slightly lower rates. The BOD (or COD) level is an EQS for the conservation of the living environment and is a typical water-quality indicator for organic contamination. Its EQS achievement level remained at 83.8%. By water area, the achievement levels were 87.4% for rivers, 55.2% for lakes and reservoirs, and 76.2% for sea areas. In particular, the achievement rates for enclosed water areas, such as lakes, reservoirs, inner bays, and inland seas, were still low. In terms of COD, the achievement rates were 68% for Tokyo Bay, 50% for Ise Bay, and 70% for the Seto Inland Sea. Consequently a bill making a partial amendment to the Law concerning Special Measures for the Preservation of Lake Water Quality was submitted to the 162nd Diet in order to conserve the water quality of lakes and reservoirs further. It promotes measures to reduce the pollution load from urban districts and farmland in specified areas and to maintain the lakeshore water environment in a proper manner.

Trends in Rate of Achievement with EQS (COD) in Three Coastal Regions

Trends toward Achieving EQSs (BOD or COD)

1. BOD used for rivers, and COD used for lakes/reservoirs, and sea/coastal areas.

2. Achievement level (\%) = (no. of water bodies achieving/no. of designated water bodies) $ \times $ 100

Source: Ministry of the Environment, Results of FY 2003 Measurement of Water Quality in Public Waters

Changes in Exceeding Rates to EQSs for Groundwater (Items with high exceeding rate)

1. Different wells were measured in the General Monitoring Survey each year. (Not the same wells were measured every year.)

2. Before the EQSs for groundwater were established in 1997, the assessment standards had been used to evaluate groundwater quality. (The assessment standard for arsenic was revised from "0.05 mg/L or less to "0.01 mg/L or less" in 1993.)

3. Nitrate/nitrite nitrogen, fluorine, and boron were added to the list of EQS items in 1999.

Source: Ministry of the Environment, Results of FY 2003 Water Quality Survey of Groundwater

According to the Results of the FY 2003 Water Quality Survey of Groundwater, the rate of exceeding the EQSs was 8.2% of the total wells surveyed. Especially, the rate of nitrate/nitrite nitrogen exceeding the EQS was 6.5%. The pollution was caused by farmland fertilization, domestic drainage, excreta of livestock, etc., and immediate measures are needed to deal with the groundwater pollution by nitrate/nitrite nitrogen.

The review of the Groundwater Management Methods for managing groundwater and supporting conservation plans, and the review of the Measures for Environmental Water Security for local waters that have experienced a decline in water flow are underway by the Inter-Ministry/Agency Coordination Committee for Building a Sound Water Cycle.
## (2) Marine Pollution

For conservation of the marine environment, Japan has concluded the London Convention, which regulates the dumping of waste from ships at sea, and the MARPOL 73/78 Convention, which prevents marine pollution caused by ships. In response to these conventions, Japan has taken domestic measures to prevent marine pollution.

In order to assess and monitor the condition of the marine environment, data is being collected to determine the condition of water quality, bottom sediment, and aquatic organisms comprehensively and systematically.

In terms of pollution caused by oil, waste, and

Changes in the Number of Identified Marine Pollution Cases

Note: “Other” includes factory effluent.

Source: Japan Coast Guard

red tide, 425 cases were identified in 2004, a decrease of 146 cases from the 2003 total. Monitoring of drifting marine debris by sight indicated that most of such debris was petrochemical products such as foamed polystyrene and plastics. They were found in large quantities along the western coast of Kyushu.

## (3) Soil Contamination

Once soil is contaminated, it accumulates hazardous substances, perpetuating the state of pollution. In order to tackle such soil contamination, appropriate measures were sought based on the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law. At the same time, studies were conducted to review the overall EQSs for soil, increasing targeted substances and exposure paths. In recent years, an increasing number of urban soil contamination cases have been found during the redevelopment of former factory sites. In FY 2002, 260 cases that failed to comply with the EQS for Soil Contamination were newly identified.

Number of Identified Soil Contamination Cases by Fiscal Year

Source: Ministry of the Environment, Overview of the Survey Result concerning Survey and Measures and State of Responses for Soil Contamination in FY 2002
## (4) Ground Subsidence

Ground subsidence is caused by excessive pumping of groundwater, which lowers the level of the groundwater and shrinks the clay layer. There were 61 areas in 37 prefectures that reported ground subsidence as of FY 2003. The restrictions on the pumping of groundwater and other measures have mitigated ground subsidence in the wards of Tokyo, Osaka City, and Nagoya City, where remarkable ground subsidence had occurred in the past.

However, ground subsidence has still occurred in certain areas such as the Kujukuri plain in Chiba Prefecture. Some areas that are lower than sea level due to ground subsidence may face the danger of

Changes in Ground Subsidence in Selected Areas

huge damages caused by high tides or floods. For this reason, besides imposing restrictions on the pumping of groundwater, measures are being taken to deal with high tides and to build facilities to protect the coastline.

### 4. Measures and Policies related to the Material Cycle, including Waste and Recycling Measures

Since FY 1990, Japan has been generating municipal solid waste at an annual volume of approximately 50 million tons or more. These annual volumes have remained steady over the last several years. In FY 2002, of all municipal solid waste, direct incineration accounted for 78.4% and recycling accounted for 17.3%. The final volume disposed of at Changes in the Total Volume of Municipal Solid Waste and Volume Generated per Person per Day

Source: Ministry of the Environment, Waste Treatment in Japan (January 2005)

landfill sites was 9.03 million tons, a decrease of 920,000 tons from the previous year.

The total volume of industrial waste generated in Japan has also remained steady over the last several years. The volume in FY 2002 was approximately 393 million tons, a decrease of about 1.8% from the previous fiscal year. Approximately 40 million tons were discarded at final disposal sites, a decrease of about 2 million tons from the previous fiscal year. Nationally, an average of 4.5 years of capacity in final disposal sites for industrial waste remained as of April 2003, presenting a serious situation.
Changes in Total Emission of Dioxins

obligatory reporting system for hazard information voluntarily obtained by businesses etc.

The annual emission of dioxins in 2003 was 376 – 404 g-TEQ, an estimated decrease of about 95% compared to 1997, achieving the target for reduction. The average daily intake of dioxin for humans has been decreasing annually and is now less than the tolerable daily intake level (4pg-TEQ/kg bw/day), which is low enough that even if this amount were to be taken throughout one’s lifetime, it would not cause adverse health effects.

To tackle the issue of endocrine disruption, which causes injury and/or hazardous effects on organisms through influence on the endocrine system, the Ministry of the Environment put together a new policy paper in March 2005 entitled “MOE’s Perspectives on Endocrine Disrupting Effects of Substances -ExTEND2005-.”

Top 10 Chemical Substances for Reported Releases and Releases Not Subject to Reporting (FY 2003)

Japan has also adopted the PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) system for chemical substances that are suspected of being harmful to human health and to ecosystems. Under the PRTR system, businesses voluntarily identify and report to the government the amount of chemical substances that are released to the environment or transferred as waste materials. The government then aggregates the data from businesses and publishes them with estimated results of release quantities outside notification. The third aggregate result was published in March 2005. It is important to further promote risk communication to enable all parties, including citizens, industries, and the administrations, to share accurate information on chemical substances and to improve communication with each other.