Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
## 1 Establishment of SMC blocks

## (1) Significance of SMC blocks

The First Fundamental Plan for Establishing a SMC Society defined material flow indicators, which measure the macroscopic progress of SMC formation, and effort indices, which measure progress in terms of the efforts made by different entities, and set numerical targets for both. Since the formulation of this plan, progress has been reviewed in every fiscal year. The review results have been used for the development of the new fundamental plan, which has again defined material flow indicators and effort indices and introduced supplementary indicators as well as indicators for trend monitoring. By defining national-level indicators and numerical targets, the new fundamental plan has provided clear motivation for the establishing a SMC Society and is now capable of evaluating the results.

A new concept introduced to the second Fundamental Plan is the establishment of SMC blocks, in which a material cycle of optimal size is formed in accordance with the characteristics of the region and the properties of its CRs. With appropriate waste management as a precondition, the idea of SMC blocks is aimed at establishing the optimal size of material cycle for each type of CR by considering regional characteristics from an environmental perspective (e.g., anti-global warming, biodiversity conservation), a resource perspective (e.g., scarcity, utility), and an economic perspective (e.g., transport efficiency, treatment costs). For example, circulation within the region would be suitable for biomass CRs, which are characterized as being generated in specific areas and are easily decomposed, whereas wide-area circulation would be more desirable for CRs requiring advanced treatment technology, etc. (Figure4-3-1).
Figure 4-3-1 Various Spheres of SMC

An image of Spheres of SMC classified by CRs their characteristics and areas.

The following is rough classification of CRs and the scope of cycle, although the scope of cycle differs depending on economic rationality and technical feasibility and the like.

Source : Ministry of the Environment

## (2) A vision for SMC blocks

Chapter 2 of the Fundamental Plan provides a medium- to long-term vision for the establishment of a SMC Society. This is a specific medium- to long-term vision of how a SMC is to be formed by around 2025, focusing on the creation of a sustainable society, and serves as a basis for cooperation and collaboration among the different entities which are essential for the establishment of a SMC Society. A particularly important component of this vision is the idea of creating a SMC in such a way that it makes the most of local and regional characteristics.

This basic concept underlying SMC blocks involves establishing a more customized and more effective SMC by forming SMC blocks of optimal size. The optimal SMC block can be based at the community level, the regional level, the special block level, the national level, or even the international level, in accordance with CR properties and regional characteristics. This concept is expected to become a driving force for local community revitalization based on self-reliance and mutual cooperation.

The following sections describe some of the concepts related to SMC blocks, as proposed by the Fundamental Plan as part of its medium- to long-term vision for the establishment of a SMC Society.

### A. Communities

At the community level, unwanted articles are reused through exchanges between neighbors
or through their sale at flea markets. Broken-down products are repaired in order to extend their useful lives as much as possible. In addition to the reuse and recycling of goods through recycling centers, recycling activities involving citizens and NGOs/NPOs are also conducted, mainly at municipal recycling facilities that also have the capability to educate the public, leading to the development of community businesses. With regard to transport, contributions are made to the development of communities with low environmental burdens through initiatives such as the effective use of bicycles.

### B. Agricultural, forestry and fishing villages

CRs generated in agricultural, forestry and fishing villages include lumber from thinning, livestock manure, shells, and kitchen garbage subject to sorted collection. As biomass CRs, they are converted into fertilizer and feed which are then used for agriculture, stock farming and fishery, the products of which are then consumed within the same area. This forms a material cycle based on local production for local consumption. The formation of this type of material cycle, based on local production for local consumption, and other such efforts directed towards sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishery all contribute to the conservation of satocha-satoya-ma, which are community-based nature areas serving as habitats for wildlife (Figure4-3-2).

Figure 4-3-2 Material cycle in agricultural, forestry and fishing villages

## Agricultural, forestry and fishing villages

A conceptual image of a SMC based on community size and characteristics is described below.

➢ CRs produced in agricultural, forestry and fishing villages include lumber from thinning, livestock manure, and shells, as well as kitchen garbage, which is collected separately from other municipal solid wastes.

These CRs, together with other CRs, are used as biomass resources for energy recovery through methane fermentation and the production of fertilizer, feed, soil conditioners, etc.

This forms a material cycle in which agricultural products produced using this fertilizer are consumed within the same region (local production for local consumption)

Source : Ministry of the Environment
### C. Small and medium cities

Small and medium cities, if they are close to farming villages, form material cycles that connect urban and rural areas. In such a cycle, biomass CRs which are constantly generated in cities are carried to farming villages to be used as fertilizer and feed in agriculture and stock farming so that the resultant agricultural and stock farm products can be consumed in the cities. The use of such CRs as energy sources is promoted in accordance with local characteristics. If no facilities exist in the neighborhood, industrial waste is distributed elsewhere in order to be reused as CRs across a relatively wide area by means of a distribution network (Figure4-3-3).

Figure 4-3-3 Material cycle in small and medium cities

## Small and medium cities

When a city is close to farming villages, biomass waste that is steadily generated in the city is carried to those villages to be used as fertilizer and feed.

Agricultural produce from these villages is consumed in the city.

If no resource recovery facilities exist in the neighborhood, industrial waste is distributed across a relatively wide area through a distribution network, to be reused as CRs.

Source : Ministry of the Environment

### D. Large cities

In large cities, large amounts of wastes are constantly generated and collected because of the concentration of waste generators. Extensive resource recovery, waste reduction (by incinerating non-recyclable wastes) and heat recovery during these processes can therefore be carried out efficiently on a large scale. For example, the multi-stage, large-scale use of wastes can be implemented fully and efficiently through the recycling of residues from the primary cyclical use of biomass CRs and plastics or through heat recovery (Figure4-3-4).
# Figure 4-3-4 Material cycle in large cities

## Large cities

Large amounts of waste are constantly generated and collected because of the concentration of waste generators. Waste reduction through resource recovery and incineration, and heat recovery during these processes, are carried out efficiently on a large scale.

Sewage sludge is subject to methane recovery, with residues used in cement and other industries as resources that can be steadily supplied in a large quantity.

Source : Ministry of the Environment

### E. Intra-block and national circulation

In SMC blocks formed within special blocks or at the national level, the material input required for production activities is strictly restrained in the industrial cluster at the center of the material cycle. Also, as recycling industries concentrate around these activities, the wide-area collection of CRs can be carried out by means of land and marine transportation, and the efficient use of CRs is facilitated by economies of scale and mutual cooperation within the cluster. Efforts directed towards zero emissions are intensified through the application of technologies, infrastructure and the expertise of arterial industries. In particular, CRs can be more efficiently utilized by means of new technologies, such as those used for recovering valuable CRs that are present in only limited amounts (e.g., rare metals) and those used for detoxifying hazardous wastes (Figure4-3-5).
Figure 4-3-5 Intra-block and national circulation

Industrial city (wide-area collection & high-efficiency disposal)

➢ Concentration of recycling and related industries allows the collection of circulative resources over wide areas, using land and marine transportation.

➢ Zero emissions are achieved through the use of cycles formed within industrial cities. Metals

## I ndustrial city (arterial-venous links)

By-products are used efficiently through links between arterial and venous companies. Promotion of the concentration of recycling and related industries allows the collection of circulative resources (CRs) over wide areas, using land and marine transportation, thereby fostering efficient use of CRs by means of economies of scale.

Industrial city (nonferrous metal treatment technology)

Existing technologies, such as arterial industries' techniques, infrastructure and expertise, are applied in order to ensure the efficient use of CRs. A contribution is made to the creation of a sound material-cycle society based on original technologies, for example, by collecting high-value-added CRs, even if the amount available is limited.

## I ndustrial city (total waste treatment)

Both general and industrial wastes are widely accepted for disposal purposes. With industrial wastes, in particular, both biomass-type wastes and industry-derived wastes are accepted for large-scale treatment if the disposal facilities are located halfway between urban and rural areas.

The recycled CRs and the collected energy are reused for industrial activities, minimizing the amount of final disposal.

Source : Ministry of the Environment
### F. International resource circulation

In international SMC blocks, CRs are utilized in a way that makes the best use of each country's characteristics. Japan uses CRs that require advanced recycling technologies and are therefore difficult to recycle in other countries. First, a domestic SMC Society is formed in each country, followed by the enhancement of measures to prevent illegal imports and exports of wastes and the establishment of traceability procedures to monitor the transboundary movements of wastes. Consequently, transboundary movements of CRs are facilitated in consideration of a division of labor between the countries involved (Figure4-3-6).

Figure 4-3-6 international resource circulation

## 2 Resource circulation in SMC blocks~Examples that have led to successful revitalization of local communities

## (1) Community-based and local resource cycles

### A. Rape Blossom projects

Rape Blossom projects are currently underway in many communities and involve collaboration between farmers and members of the public. In these projects, rapeseed oil is extracted from rape blossoms grown on land converted from paddy fields. The oil produced is used for cooking at schools (for school meals), restaurants and homes, while oilcake is used to make animal feed and compost, which is then returned to the rape blossom fields as fertilizer. Waste cooking oil is collected for use as biodiesel fuel. Some projects aim at a higher level of local involvement by incorporating beekeeping, advertising rape blossom fields as a tourist attraction, and providing environmental education programs for elementary, junior high and high schools. Efforts such as these, directed towards community development and focusing on resource circulation and energy independence, are being carried out in many parts of Japan.
### B. Motegi Town

In the town of Motegi (Motegi-machi), kitchen garbage (collected separately from other waste) is mixed with fallen leaves from forests and livestock manure to produce compost at Midori-kan, the town's organic matter recycling center. Composting not only helps reduce incineration costs and hazardous substance generation, but also allows the restoration of traditional agriculture, involving soil improvement with compost and the promotion of eco-friendly agriculture which uses no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This initiative aims to produce safe, high-quality agricultural produce. The town has established both a mechanism for local production for local consumption, in which the agricultural products produced are consumed by local people, and a system to supply food products for use in school meals, with the aim of providing better nourishment for children's minds and bodies (Figure4-3-7).

Figure 4-3-7 Regional Material Cycle

Source : Documents provided by the Central Environmental Council

### C. Shibushi City

With no incinerating facilities of its own, Shibushi City has to dispose of all its wastes in landfills. By means of the sorted collection of wastes into 28 categories, the city government has successfully reduced the amount of landfill wastes by 80%. This was achieved by forming organizations called residents' sanitation associations and by enforcing sorted collection in cooperation with the public under the slogan of “Promotion of tiresome things.” To deal with kitchen garbage, the city also implements the “Sun Sun Sunflower Plan,” which produces sunflower oil from kitchen garbage as part of its efforts to achieve zero landfill wastes through regional collaboration (Figure4-3-8).
Figure 4-3-8 Efforts in Shibushi City

The compost produced is used to grow sunflowers so that sunflower oil can be made from them and used for cooking. The kitchen garbage generated as a result is collected again.

All households receive sunflower seeds. The city succeeded in reducing waste.

Participants are pleased as their kitchen garbage is collected three times a week, instead of just once a week.

Wastes in Shibushi City

Source : Documents prorided by the Central Environmental Council

###### D. Aichi Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives (together with Uny Co., Ltd. and Hirate Sangyo Ltd.)

These three entities have established a food recycling loop. Uny Co., Ltd., a food retailer, completely separates all food residues on the basis of category, then grades them and keeps them in cold storage in order to maintain quality until they are delivered to Hirate Sangyo Ltd., a food waste recycler. From these wastes, Hirate then produces fully fermented, good-quality compost that farmers can use. Aichi Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives, while serving as a contact point between the various entities in the loop, also provides guidance on controlling the quality of recycled compost and producing and selling agricultural products. All the vegetables grown with recycled compost are purchased by Uny and then sold in its stores.

This is a successful example of a food recycling loop involving steady and continuous high-reliability inputs (Figure4-3-9).
Figure 4-3-9 Aichi Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives

Source : Ministry of the Environment

## Column

## Rate of food losses

Food losses refer to leftovers and other wasted food. A food loss survey of households and restaurants (conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in FY 2006) shows just how much food Japan wastes in the form of leftovers and garbage (only leftovers were surveyed in the food service industry). When compared with the number of people in each household, the rate of food loss can be seen to be highest (6.4%) in single-member households and only 3.5-4.0% in households with two or more members. In the food service industry, the percentage of food left uneaten in cafeterias and restaurants (3.1%) is greatly exceeded by banquet halls used for wedding receptions (22.5%) and facilities used for other parties (15.2%). When the data are examined on the basis of food type, beverages can be seen to account for over half the amount of the total leftovers. An analysis of leftovers in cafeterias and restaurants, based on the type of dish served, indicates that pickled vegetables are the type of food most often left unfinished, accounting for 11.0% of all leftovers. Based on the type of restaurant, those serving traditional Japanese cuisine account for the largest percentage (4.3%) of uneaten food.

What kinds of measures should be taken to reduce such food losses? When families were asked about those things they took into consideration when purchasing food, the majority (72.5%) of respondents answered that they choose products carrying more recent dates of manufacture or those with longer shelf lives. However, overemphasis on food freshness can lead to an increase in waste at the retail stage. The First Food Consumer Monitor Survey in FY 2005, a survey of Food Consumer Monitors (selected from ordinary consumers living in major cities) conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, shows that what consumers want most is for restaurants to clearly explain on
the menu, or by some other means, that customers can choose their preferred serving size, allowing them to finish all their meal (as cited by 45% or respondents). It is hoped that efforts to reduce food losses will expand in homes and restaurants alike.

### E. Effective use of fish of foreign origin

Shiga Prefecture has set up the “Lake Biwa Rules” to assist the restoration of Lake Biwa’s diverse ecosystem. A policy to prevent the release of any fish of foreign origin (bluegill and black bass) caught in the lake is promoted as part of this initiative. Fish of foreign origin collection receptacles and collection boxes are placed around the lake and anglers are requested to cooperate in the no-release policy. All fish of foreign origin that anglers place in the collection receptacles are carried to the Dainaka Aguri no Sato (a business-oriented cooperative work center) for composting. The compost produced is used for eco-friendly vegetable farming and is sold as fertilizer, ensuring its effective use (Figure4-3-10).

Figure 4-3-10 Joining together welfare, agriculture and environmental conservation

Source : Shiga Prefectural Center for Support of Employment, Living and Participation

## (2) Wide-area resource circulation at the block, national and international levels

The previous section focused on efforts directed towards community-based and regional circulation of biomass CRs. However, there are also wider-area resource cycles formed in accordance with the characteristics and the uses of CRs and the location of the facilities that process and use them.

For example, the destinations (prefectures) of CR shipments from construction-wood crushing facilities in Chiba Prefecture vary widely, depending on the intended use. This is also the case with receiving facilities. For example, a recycling plant for a city located in northern Saitama
Prefecture receives rubble, wood waste and waste plastic from a different range of areas because of the difference in weight between these wastes (Figure4-3-11).

Figure 4-3-11 Examples of intra-block resource cycles

Source : Action Plan to Promote Construction Wood Recycling in Chiba (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

Source : National Institute for Environmental Studies

An analysis of the circulation of iron scrap, by region, suggests that the majority of iron scrap generated is used within the same regional block, both for economic reasons and because of the presence of electric furnaces that use iron scrap. Interregional circulation is observed only on a complementary basis (Figure4-3-12).
Figure 4-3-12 Circulative use of iron scrap

Source : Left : Japan Ferrous Raw Materials Association; Right: Annual reports on steel, nonferrous metal and ferrous metal products, and trade statistics

There are also attempts underway to recover valuable resources from hazardous or hard-to-treat wastes by using advanced technologies. Since the number of facilities capable of treating such CRs is limited, wider-area resource cycles should be formed to allow them to be used most effectively (Figure4-3-13).