## (5) Hazardous Air Pollutants

Various chemical substances, though low in concentrations, have been detected in the atmosphere, raising concern about the health effects of long-term exposure to these substances. In FY 2002, the level of benzene exceeded the EQS at 8.3% of the 409 monitoring points.

Pursuant to the Air Pollution Control Law, standards were set up to control the emissions of specified substances, such as benzene, and voluntary measures by businesses to control emissions were encouraged. Simple calculation of the total emissions of twelve substances that are targeted by the voluntary management plans in FY 2003 shows a substantial reduction rate of 49%, decreasing from approximately 38,000 tons in FY 1999 to 19,000 tons in FY 2002.

Changes in the Number of Complaints against Noise, Vibration, and Offensive Odors (FY1974 – 2002)

Source: Compiled from the Ministry of the Environment, Survey of the Implementation of Noise Regulation Law, Survey of the Implementation of Vibration Regulation Law, and Survey of the Implementation of Offensive Odor Control Law.

## (6) Noise, Vibration, and Offensive Odors

Noise and offensive odors are environmental issues closely related to our daily life. The sources of these issues are complex and diverse. Each year, complaints about noise and offensive odors account for the largest percentage of pollution-related complaints. Complaints about noise had been in decline over the last ten years but began to increase in FY 2000. Complaints about offensive odors, particularly odors from open incineration, have increased drastically since FY 1997. Complaints about the service industry and residences are also on the rise.

For noise and vibration coming from factories, business establishments, automobiles, and airplanes, permissible lim-

its and EQSs were set up pursuant to the Noise Regulation Law and the Vibration Regulation Law in order to impose restrictions.

## (7) Heat Island Phenomenon

The heat island phenomenon occurs when the temperature rises more in urban areas than in surrounding suburban areas. This phenomenon results in an increase in the

Distribution of High Temperature Areas in the Tokyo Region (1981 & 1999)

Distribution of High Temperature Areas in the Tokyo Region in 1981

Distribution of High Temperature Areas in the Tokyo Region in 1999

Source: Ministry of the Environment, Report on the Heat Island Phenomenon—Analysis of the Current State and Countermeasures

number of sultry nights in the summer. As waste heat from air conditioners raises the temperature, more energy is consumed as air conditioning works harder still, creating a vicious cycle.

In March 2004, concerned ministries and agencies put together the “Outline of the Policy Framework to Reduce Urban Heat Island Effects.” It consists of four pillars of measures, including the reduction of anthropogenic exhaust heat, improvement of urban surface, improvement of urban structure, and improvement of lifestyle.

### 3. Conservation of the Water, Soil, and Ground Environments

## (1) Water Environment

According to the Results of FY 2002 Measurement of Water Quality of Public Waters, the compliance rate to EQS for protecting human health from substances such as cadmium was 99.3%. The compliance rate of BOD (or COD), a typical water-quality indicator for organic contamination, to the EQS in regard to the conservation of the living environment was 81.7%. By water area, the compliance rates were 85.1% for rivers, 43.8% for lakes and reservoirs, and 76.9% for sea areas. In particular, the compliance rates for enclosed water areas, such as lakes, reservoirs, inner bays, and inland seas, were still low. In terms of COD, the compliance rates were 68% for Tokyo Bay, 44% for Ise Bay, and 69% for the Seto Inland Sea.