materials. In particular, in order to ensure the appropriate and strategic use of valuable resources contained in CRs, the government will take measures to make recycling technologies and systems more sophisticated, to expand collection structures, and to strengthen joint efforts with consumers while improving credibility.

The Eco-town program should be effective for such wide-area SMC blocks. This program was instituted in FY 1997 with the aim of promoting advanced community development projects, in harmony with nature, by using the zero-emissions concept (completely eliminating all kinds of wastes through the use of all industrial wastes as raw materials in other sectors) as the basic concept for communities trying to establish an eco-friendly economy and society, and by fostering this concept as the key to regional development. To date, 26 Eco-towns have been approved. They are expected to act as centers for wide-area regional circulation.

With regard to the medium- and long-distance transport of CRs, the government will work towards implementing a venous distribution network that has a low impact on the environment, by making the most of rail and marine transport. In particular, more efficient marine transport will be pursued through the promotion of recycling ports (Figure4-3-18).

As a major precondition for these initiatives, the government will ensure the correct use and disposal of CRs (e.g., correct waste disposal) and the conservation of the living environment. Considering the potential presence of regions where the amount of CRs, the availability of facilities to handle them, and demand for recycled products are not in balance, the government will also foster regional alliances based on appropriate information.

## (2) Advances in technologies and systems

The establishment of SMC blocks, as mentioned above, calls for the development of suitable technologies to underpin them. By advancing the development of 3R-related technologies and systems, the government will promote efforts to achieve the 3Rs across the entire product life cycle and the entire supply chain, which will then contribute to the formation of SMC blocks. This requires effectively forging ahead with the R&D and commercialization of 3R technologies and systems, as well as the development and commercial application of 3R-oriented business models, with product life cycles and supply chains also taken into consideration.

During the manufacturing phase, it is important to decide priorities based on the toxicity of the materials to be used and the rarity of the metals and other substances present, and to further the advancement of those technologies and systems needed to design and manufacture DfE (Design for Environment) products in accordance with the functionality and properties of each product.

In the recycling phase where end-of-life or used products are subject to cyclical use or appropriate disposal, it must be ensured that product/component reuse, material recycling, raw material recycling, energy recovery and use, and correct disposal are all conducted step by step.

As well as focusing on each individual stage, including the reuse, recycling, energy recovery/use, and disposal stages, it is essential that technologies and systems be improved in order to reduce the impact on the environment associated with the cyclical use and disposal of materials. Strategically advancing technologies and systems to make the most of regenerable biomass materials is, therefore, just as important.

Furthermore, by integrating technologies that can evaluate the effects of the above 3R technologies and systems with other individual technologies, systems and social systems, the government will strategically promote the development of design technologies to implement a 3R-oriented production and consumption system (Table 4-3-2).

## (3) Development of basic infrastructure

The government will implement measures to develop basic infrastructure for CRs. An example of this will be to provide support for regional model projects that help create a SMC and for the formulation of recycling-oriented community visions, with the aim of sharing and disseminating information to communities across Japan regarding outstanding contributions made by key contributors to recycling-oriented community development, such as municipal governments, NPOs and enterprises. Since FY 2005, the government has been implementing an assistance program that provides subsidies to promote the establishment of a SMC rather than the construction of waste disposal facilities, in order to support municipalities developing systems for the efficient recovery of resources and energy from wastes by building disposal facilities for municipal solid waste, based on their own voluntary and creative efforts. In addition to this, assistance will be provided for projects aimed at establishing SMC blocks. This will include active financial support for projects to build facilities for the effective use of regional waste-derived biomass.

Human resources for promoting a SMC will also be enhanced in terms of both quality and quantity. Specifically, this will involve prompting industry, academia and government, including enterprises, universities,