Chapter 3

Building Healthy and Satisfied

Local Communities

Section 1 Reconstruction from the Disaster---63

Section 2 Towards Achieving Sustainable Local Communities___69

Section 3 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources as “Commons” Community Property ___74

Section 4 Achieving a Low-Carbon Society on the Characteristics of Local Communities—___77

Section 5 Towards Establishing Local Recycling Zones ___81

Section 6 Community Cohesion That Protects Biodiversity___85

Chapter 4

To Achieve a Green Growth

Nation to Lead the World

Section 1 Green Economy and Green Innovation___92

Section 2 Japan’s Initiatives to Achieve a Low-Carbon Society ___97

Section 3 Exploring and Using Japan's Prospective Terrestrial Resources- 109

Section 4 Contributing to the International Community to Achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets___117

Conclusion ___ 124

National Parks and World Natural Heritage Sites in Japan ___ 127

One year has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and people are still under severe condition in the suffered areas. To overcome this national crisis, I put the top priority on recovering and reconstructing from the Great East Japan Earthquake and combating radioactive contamination.

“Annual Report on the Environment, the Sound Material-Cycle Society and the Biodiversity in Japan 2012” describes initiatives for the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accidents at the nuclear power stations as main theme. Decontamination is the biggest issue at this moment. Japanese government must work on it with full force based on the idea that “there is no Japan’s regrowth without Fukushima’s regrowth.” As a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake, vast amounts of disaster wastes were generated. In order to reconstruct the suffered area, all Japanese people need to carry forward quick disposal and process of these wastes hand-in-hand.

Furthermore, in terms of Nuclear Safety Regulations, we need the total reform of management systems, disaster prevention structures and administrative organizations to manage them, in light of the lessons learned from the accident at TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. We

## Minister of the Environment Goshi Hosono

should establish the institutions and the structures for safety and security under the new organizations as soon as possible.

Moreover, we are also focusing on full-scale reconstruction in suffered area. Especially, we will support to create self-reliant regional society utilizing renewable energy in Tohoku area, and will we aim to establish local societies that have strong relationships, disaster-resistance and low environmental impact. The issue is not only for the suffered areas but also for all of us who have experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake.

For recovery and reconstruction, people in the suffered areas should work closely together, and share their wisdom. It is important that we should regard the process as a step to reform life styles or social structures, and achieve the future sustainable society with safety and security.

At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), sustainable development and spread of the Green Economy for poverty eradication is being included in agenda. I believe that the environmental conservation is not obstructive factor for economic growth. On the contrary, it takes the central role in economic growth. Japan has high level technologies and systems in the field of environment, such as low carbon technology. Since Japan experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, we should aggressively utilize those technologies to contribute to the whole world. I hope this environmental annual report will be helpful for Japan to be the world's leading Green Growth country and to achieve the sustainable society that creates new value and wealth.