#### 2.3. Formation of the East Asia Sound Material-Cycle Society Vision and Japan's role

At the Ministerial Conference on the 3R Initiative, Japan presented “Japan’s Action Plan for a World-Wide Sound Material-Cycle Society through the 3R Initiative” (also known as “Japan’s Action Plan to Promote Global Zero-Waste Societies”). Under this Action Plan, a “East Asia Sound Material-Cycle Society Vision” that can serve as a shared concept to promote the 3Rs in East Asia will be formulated by 2012. This Vision will serve as one form of international collaboration toward the international diffusion of zero-waste societies. Japan will need to play an important role in the formulation of this vision. The following are among the main approaches needed to fulfill this role.

##### 2.3.1. Contribution to enhancing capacities in each country for cyclical use and disposal

In order to establish an SMS in each of the countries of East Asia, Japan will endeavor to realize an SMS domestically while also making a contribution to the improvement of East Asian countries' capacities in terms of cyclical use and disposal of waste. Such cooperation will help them to appropriately treat waste and to promote the 3Rs. To achieve this, Japan will need to ascertain the needs of these countries through continuous policy dialogues using existing frameworks (such as the Tripartite Environment Ministers Meetings among China, Japan and Korea), while also cooperating to resolve the problems that each country is facing. One approach that can be considered here is sharing Japan's accumulated experience in waste management and recycling policy as valuable information for East Asian countries.

Furthermore, in order to realize SMSs in these countries, it will be necessary to formulate plans and visions for 3R approaches. Japan can achieve significant results toward this end by utilizing knowledge gained from its highly-developed technologies and systems to support the formation of such plans and visions. One example of assisted efforts is currently underway in Vietnam, where 3R promotion strategies at the national level are being formulated.

Moreover, Japan will assist in the development of human resources and organizations through existing technical cooperation and training schemes (such as those provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA]) to ensure appropriate waste treatment and to promote 3R technologies and systems. In addition, it will be important to establish networks of researchers and experts for the sharing of scientific knowledge and technical information, which constitutes the foundation for planning and implementing of 3R policies. It will also be important to promote approaches by local governments, NGOs and NPOs, which will play important roles towards the creation of SMS.

This kind of support for developing countries is exemplified by “projects on the environmentally-sound management of e-waste in the Asia-Pacific region” that are being promoted under the Basel Convention. Lead and other hazardous substances are included in waste generated from electronic and electrical appliances (e-waste), which include discarded home appliances, such as televisions, personal computers, and refrigerators. Despite this,