Table 4-1 3R technology research

No	Representative research institute	Research issue
1	Kyoto University, Environment Preservation Center	Analysis of residual chemical substances in household waste products and 3R scenarios
2	National Institute for Environmental Studies, Research Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management	Lifestyle comparison techniques for scenarios including overseas recycling, and application to waste plastics
3	National Institute for Environmental Studies, Research Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management	Analysis of the resource recycling system of waste electric and electronic components and waste plastic in the Asian region
4	Sophia University, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies	Comparative research on recycling systems in various Asian countries
5	Tohoku University, Graduate School of International Cultural Studies	Analysis of extended producer responsibility schemes in Japan and South Korea, and research on forging partnerships
6	JETRO, Institute of Developing Economies	State of recycling in the Asian region and international resource recycling management/3R policies
7	Kumamoto University, Faculty of Law	Comparative research on car recycling systems in the Asian region

Source: Ministry of the Environment

development of technologies for removing substances hindering recycling in the design and manufacturing phase of a product, maintenance technologies that prolong the life of buildings and architectural structures, technologies to reinforce construction material, and technologies to improve and facilitate the recycling of steel sheets for cars.

Further, projects to subsidize practical application in order to disseminate and promote 3R technology were carried out (projects based on public invitation for proposals).

In the research and development term from April 2005 through March 2009, a project for encouraging advanced technologies for recycling sewage sludge (LOTUS Project) is in progress. The project targets the sludge generated in sewage works, with the goal of cutting costs to promote the recycling of sewage sludge. The project aims to develop a “zero sludge discharge” technology (technology that enables recycling more cheaply than disposing of sewage sludge) and “green sludge energy” technology (technology that uses the biomass energy of sewage sludge, etc. for producing electric energy at the same or lower cost than commercial electric power rates). The technology developed to date includes technology to combine biomass and sewage sludge, digest it, increase the quantity of digestion gas generated and use it to generate electric power.

In addition, technologies in the field of agriculture were developed when the potential quantity of biomass in the region became clear. These include, for example, technologies for systemization in order to recycle animal feed and fertilizers or industrial raw

# Column: Research Network on 3R Waste Management in the Asia-Pacific Region

In November 2006, the 2nd Expert Meeting on Solid Waste Management in Asia-Pacific Islands was held in Kitakyushu city, with 14 experts attending from 10 countries and 2 regions, including China, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines.

This meeting aims to form an expert network in the Asian-Pacific region to improve waste management and promote 3R by sharing experiences. Another objective is to promote international research cooperation by sharing knowledge on waste management.

As a result of this meeting, the Society of Solid Waste Management Experts in Asia & Pacific Islands: SWAPI (preliminary name) was set up to promote cooperation in the field of waste management, including 3R.

2 $ ^{nd} $ expert meeting on solid waste management in Asia-Pacific Islands