environmental conservation efforts and to work toward reducing the environmental load from their business activities.

In recent years, various actors have become increasingly active in community-based environmental conservation activities.

### 2. Historical Development of Environmental Conservation Activities in Local Communities

From the middle of the Meiji era to the early Showa era, measures against mine pollution were limited to out-of-court settlements, compromise or relocation of the injured party. Pollution was treated as a local issue, confined to specific areas.

As pollution spread across Japan during the period between 1945 and 1965, antipollution campaign organizers in different areas came to cooperate and it made the entire nation realize that drastic pollution control measures were needed along with economic growth. At that time, local antipollution initiatives played a leading role on the pollution control front, as exemplified by the enactment of pollution control ordinances by local governments.

As urban and domestic pollution became more noticeable in the decade following 1975, the traditional pattern of local residents confronting industries shifted to a movement to review the environmental load for which residents

Operating Areas of Environmental Conservation Groups

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on FY 2001 Environmental NGOs Compendium, Japan. Environment Corporation

## Number of Specified Non-profit Corporations Working in the Field of Environmental Conservation

Note: Number of specified non-profit corporations with bylaws that clearly state "environmental conservation activities" as their field of operation. There are corporations with more than one field of operation.

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the Fields of Operation of Specified Non-profit Corporations, Cabinet Office

themselves were responsible. One such example was the Citizen Campaign for Using Soap Instead of Synthetic Detergent initiated by residents in adjacent areas of Lake Biwa. Japan at that time required not only pollution prevention efforts but also measures to increase the amenities provided by the local environment. This decade witnessed the introduction of the national trust movement that originated in England. The movement purchases land to be preserved with money collected from a broad base of citizens through fund-raising campaign.

Since 1985, the issues of waste, recycling and the global environment have become a major concern, and there has been a growing public awareness that voluntary efforts at a community level is vital because the cause and solution of environmental problems are linked directly to the life of an individual. There has also been a surge in cases where different actors in the area make united efforts to tackle waste and recycling problems. Partnerships were formed between cities and agricultural villages mediated by material circulation. Also, programs that seek to improve the environment and work toward a sustainable society have gained momentum.

When we look back on the history of local environmental conservation efforts in Japan, it is apparent that local initiatives have played a pivotal role in the nation’s efforts to conserve the environment.

### 3. Internationally Mandated Local Efforts (from "Local Agenda" to "Local Action")

Agenda 21, adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit, mandated local governments to formulate a Local Agenda 21, an action plan to achieve a sustainable society. The Johannesburg Summit held in 2002 issued a declaration to promote Local Action 21 to translate the measures adopted by Local Agenda 21 into specific actions. This adoption attests to the international recognition of the importance of initiating actions in local communities, on a daily-life level.