Scenes from the Asia 3R promotion conference

3R would promote not only environmental protection but also the creation of new values and increased efficiency in industry, thus harnessing latent demand in society. The Conference also identified sectors in which research and technological innovation are required, including reproduction, waste reduction, recycling, recovery and other clean technologies, as well as eco-design to enhance resource efficiency and mitigate environmental burdens.

At the Ministerial Conference on the 3R Initiative, Japan announced its “Action Plan for a World-Wide Sound Material-Cycle Society through the 3R Initiative” (Action Plan to Promote Global Zero-Waste Societies). The Action Plan identifies activities for Japan, such as enhancing the knowledge base and technology base to realize zero-waste societies in Asia, as international cooperation for realizing world-wide zero-waste societies. It also states that an “East Asia Sound Material-Cycle Society Vision” will be formulated by 2012 as one example of this international cooperation.

In a follow-up to the Ministerial Conference on the 3R Initiative, a Senior Official-Level Meeting for the 3R Initiative was held in Tokyo in March 2006, when discussions were held on the development and transfer of technologies related to 3R. Among others, it was pointed out that, since development levels and socio-economic conditions differ depending on the country or community, economic aspects of 3R-related technology are also important.

Besides this, an “Asia 3R Promotion Conference” was held in Tokyo in October 2006, with the participation of 19 Asian countries and 8 international agencies. 3R was comprehensively promoted at the Conference, while various specific initiatives – such as 3R on household waste, 3R on electrical and electronic waste (E-waste), and medical waste – were introduced by the various countries, international agencies, networks of international NGOs, companies and others, resulting in a lively discussion. The participants not only shared awareness of the importance of promoting 3R in Asia, but also praised this Conference as the first opportunity for policy-makers from Asian countries and international agencies to discuss 3R. It was also confirmed, among other matters, that technology will be an important element in promoting 3R. Moreover, the required technologies do not necessarily have to be the latest versions, but should be socially acceptable ones that are environmentally appropriate and economically viable.

In this way, Japan has played a leading role in establishing an international SMS through the 3R Initiative, which has been highly praised by various countries and international agencies. In 2008, Japan will assume the presidency of the G8 group of nations. As such, Japan aims to display international leadership and promote the 3R Initiative in the runup to the G8 Summit. In this display of leadership, technology is expected to make a contribution to promoting 3R in specific terms. In particular, Japan has some superior technologies in the fields of 3R and waste management. The next section will examine some leading examples of these technologies.

## Section 2: Technologies for a Sound Material-Cycle Society

Japanese society, which aims to be a sound material-cycle society (SMS), is supported by various technologies. Our social and economic situation, as well as our activities, have changed remarkably over time and the amount and kind of consumed natural resources, products and service activities have changed accordingly. As a result, the quantity and quality of waste generated have also changed. In response to such change, various technologies for product manufacturing and waste management processes have been developed to sanitarily dispose of waste, remove hazardous substances and save resources and energy (Fig. 2-1).