# Section 3: Japan as a Major Player in Formulating International Standards for the Environmental Techniques

To spread Japan’s sophisticated “environmental techniques,” Japan must actively participate and contribute to the formulation of international standards.

In response to organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Japan is carrying out international standardization activities in a wide range of fields. In the field of the environment especially, Japan is actively carrying out standardization activities such as creating test methods for air purification performance of photocatalytic materials. For the international standardization of fuel cells, the "International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE)" was established to advance development, policies, rules, and standards, and information exchange related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. In the IPHE Ministerial Meeting held in November 2003, Japan was appointed Vice Chair of the Steering Committee in charge of the overall planning and operations of IPHE. From now on, Japan must utilize its advanced fuel cell technologies to conduct strategic research and development through collaboration of the government, industries, and academics. At the same time, Japan must take an active role in the formulation of rules and standards for fuel cells.

Many of Japan’s technologies in the environmental field are the most advanced in the world. The government, industries, and universities must cooperate to present Japan’s recommendations for environmental standards and actively participate and contribute to the formation of international consensus. Strategically assigning human resources to forums where international standards are formulated is important for creating a world market with the virtuous circle for environment and economy pursued by Japan.

## Section 4: Diffusing the Environmental Techniques throughout the World: International Environmental Cooperation

Japan’s sophisticated “environmental techniques” are spreading worldwide through its national and local governments, businesses, and NGOs, and contributing immensely to solving global environmental problems.

Official Development Assistance (ODA), Japan’s contribution to the international community, has become the backbone of Japan’s policies on providing aid to developing countries. The Official Development Assistance Charter, the basic statement of ODA, was revised in August 2003 in response to changes in the domestic and international conditions. It continues to place emphasis on environmental problems, which are global issues, and on seeking a balance between the environment and development when providing aid. The government is also cooperating with various organizations to utilize the experience, knowledge, and technologies that Japan has acquired in international environmental cooperation such as dispatching experts, receiving trainees, and providing equipment.

Local governments also engage in international environmental cooperation. Some work directly with local governments overseas through such means as sister city affiliation. Some take part in ODA projects implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which carries out ODA projects approved by the Japanese government in providing aids to foreign countries upon their request. 87% of the prefectures, 100% of the ordinance-designated cities, and 21% of the core cities are involved in international environmental cooperation. For example, Hyogo Prefecture provided assistance to afforestation in Mongolia by dispatching technical experts after a forest fire took place there. At the same time, the Prefecture is trying to boost participation of companies in Hyogo Prefecture in the afforestation project by working with pioneering private

Tree-planting at China’s Ocher Plateau (Courtesy of “Green Earth Network (NPO)”)