Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
## (4) Promoting the use of public transportation

The shift from private vehicles to public transportation reduces travel with vehicles and is a necessary facet of global warming countermeasures. For this reason, we are promoting automation such as implementing IC cards, and improving the convenience of public transportation through better transit connections. We also encourage ecological commuting in each business establishment through the Ecological Commuting Outstanding Business Certification Scheme, as well as spreading environment-friendly commuting by cooperating with regional schemes that promote ecological commuting. Furthermore, information analysis and validation results of past activities for the “Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Model

Project” were provided nationwide to regions working to realize EST.

## (5) Optimizing logistics

Exceeding 50% of the total domestic transportation means in Japan, trucking accounts for the majority of the share ratio (ton to kilometer basis in transportation). The $ CO_{2} $ discharge rate Note $ ^{1} $ of trucks is greater than that of mass transportation such as railroads and domestic shipping, and accounts for up to 90% of the $ CO_{2} $ output in logistics. In order to reduce $ CO_{2} $ emission while sustaining domestic logistics, we must strive to utilize energy efficient transportation means such as railroads and domestic shipping in addition to improving energy efficiency and transportation efficiency of each truck, in combination with transitioning trucking Note $ ^{2} $ from private to commercial means. And, in an effort towards further establishing an efficient logistics system with low environmental impact, assistance is being provided for joint transportation, modal shift, introduction of large CNG trucks, low-carbon logistics centers, and low-carbon emission of the port area. The introduction of 31ft railway containers of similar size to the 10-ton truck, the demonstration experiments of a new style 12ft refrigerated railway container, as well as working to energize the coastal shipping and ferry industry by promoting the building of energy-saving vessels, are all in progress. We also work to disseminate the “Eco Rail Mark” (recognition of 83 cooperating enterprises of 138 products (192 items) as of March 2012), and the “Eco Ship Mark” (Recognition of 82 consignors and 98 logistics businesses as of December 2011). In ports and harbors, which act as nodal points between overland and overseas transportation, we are implementing initiatives to conserve energy within ports and harbors, implementing, facilitating, and applying renewable energies and expanding carbon dioxide sinks. Moreover, we strive to reduce overland transportation distance of international cargo by renovating facilities such as international overseas container terminals.

In addition, in cooperation with the relevant ministries and related organizations, a Green Logistics Partnership Conference was held and public awareness and recognition is being given to the excellent businesses through the collaboration of logistics and shipping companies.
Raw sewage also accounts for 20% of all industrial waste, reaching approximately 75 million tons in 2011. We are promoting recycling in order to reduce this amount.

Amount of Industrial Waste by Industry Sector and Recycle Rate of Construction Byproducts

Subject materials	Index	Results from 2005	Results from 2008	Results from 2012	Objectives for 2012
Asphalt, concrete clusters	Recycle rate (%)	98.6	98.4	99.5	More than 98
Concrete clusters	98.1	97.3	99.3	More than 98
Wood material derived from construction	68.2	80.3	89.2	77
Wood material derived from construction	Recycling and reduction *rate (%)	90.7	89.4	94.4	More than 95
Construction sludge	74.5	85.1	85.0	82
Construction mixed waste	Produced amount (ten thousand tons)	293	267(9% decrease in comparison to 2005)	280(5% decrease in comparison to 2005)	205(30% decrease in comparison to 2005)
Total construction waste	Recycling and reduction *rate (%)	92.2	93.7	96.0	94
Construction generated soil	Efficient utilization rate (%)	80.1	78.6	88.3	87

*Reduction refers to reducing the amount of waste through incineration, dehydration, or other processes. Source) MLIT "2012 Construction Byproducts Survey"

## (1) Advancing recycling in construction

Based on the “Construction Material Recycling Act (Construction Recycling Law)”, we are working to enforce proper measures through a simultaneous patrol throughout Japan.

In addition, we are conducting investigations and surveys needed for overcoming various challenges, such as the thorough dismantling and separation of plaster boards waste, as pointed out by the “Compilation on the Assessment and Investigation on the State of Enforcement of the Construction Recycling Scheme,” and are working to advance recycling in construction.

In addition, because of the development of the new “Construction Recycling Promotion Plan” which incorporates the basic concept and goal of construction recycling, the “Construction Recycling Promotion Plan Study Subcommittee” established under the Social Capital

Development Council and the Council of Transport Policy started review in 2014 to find measures to deal with the priority issues such as ensuring high recycling rate and reducing the rate of construction waste, responding to concerns about the development of up-cycling, decrease of soil from construction and construction waste in the future, and challenges related to the regional differences in construction materials recycling.

## (2) Reducing sewage sludge and promoting recycling

We are promoting the recycling of sewage sludge (recycling rate of 55% in 2011), utilizing of bio-gas produced by incinerating sewage for generating electricity and for fuel in cars that utilize natural gas, utilizing energy such as the solid fuel processing of sewage sludge, and advancing recovery and utilization of phosphorus from sewage and sewage sludge. Furthermore, we are proceeding with the Breakthrough by Dynamic Approach in Sewage High Technology Project (B-DASH Project) for proving innovative technology and systems for the effective use of sewage based resources.
## 2 Constructing a resource recycling logistics system

(1) Forming a resource recycling logistics system by utilizing shipping

In order to form the “cycling” of reusable resources for creating a recycling society, we have specified 22 ports throughout Japan as Recycle Ports (Integrated Reverse Logistic Base Port) for wide-spread flows concerning reusable resources. At the Recycle Ports, they undertake activities such as securing coastal facilities like wharfs, aiding in establishing facilities for handling reusable resources, promoting the cooperation between civilian and government sectors, and operations related to handling reusable resources.

## (2) Systematic acquirement of bay area landfill sites for waste

Bay area landfills are being prepared in order to receive dredge soil produced by harbor improvement, or to receive waste materials that have difficulty finding final landfill sites. Particularly in the Osaka Bay, regional waste disposal sites are being improved through the Osaka Bay Phoenix Project $ {}^{Note 1} $ to receive waste from the 168 municipalities in the 6 prefectures of the Kinki region. In addition, based on the Super Phoenix Plan $ {}^{Note 2} $ , surplus soil produced from construction in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area is being shipped to various ports and harbors and being widely used as landfill material.
Based on laws such as “the Act for Promotion of Use of Wood in Public Buildings”, in May 2011, the “Plan for Promotion of Use of Wood in Public Buildings” was formulated to work on the use of wood as building materials and for the interior of buildings. In November 2013, the government’s implementation status of this Act was published. Also, in cooperation with local government, introduction guidelines for the use of wood to be used in the design stage was published in June of the same year.

In addition, to promote the development of wooden houses and buildings that utilize local materials, the Ministry is working to support building of long-life quality wooden housing that use local materials, and the development of large-scale wooden buildings which will make use of cutting edge design and construction technology, as well as the development of leaders and wooden house production system in the region.

Figure II-8-2-4

Examples of the Use of Wooden Building Material

Entrance hall of Shinonome National Government Building

Source) MLIT

Section 3 National land development that revives and preserves the natural environment

## I nitiatives for preserving biodiversity

As efforts towards the Strategic Plan 2011 to 2020 (objective for the Aichi prefecture), adopted at the COP10 held in Nagoya city in Aichi prefecture in October of 2010, we are currently advancing activities for its achievement. Furthermore, the “National Biodiversity Strategy 2012 to 2020” was formulated in September of 2012, and we have decided to continue the advancement in activities for preserving, reviving and creating animal habitats in rivers, urban green lands, coastal regions and harbors.

In addition, as reference material for drawing up “Master Plan regarding Afforestation, Greening, and the Preservation of Forests and Other Green Spaces” (Master Plan for Parks and Open Spaces”), the master plan formulated by municipalities concerning overall greenery, we established the “Technical Considerations related to Conservation of Biodiversity in regards to the Master Plan for Parks and Open Spaces” in October 2011. Furthermore, in May, 2014, we formulated the “Urban Biodiversity Indices” to evaluate the situation of biodiversity and progress of policies taken by the local governments and now working to promote activities by local public organizations for the conservation of biodiversity in urban areas.

## 2 Creating rich and beautiful river environments

(1) Creating and conserving a healthy river environment

a. Creating a rich river environment and stimulating revival

In river development, based on the “Basic Guideline for Rich River Development (established October 2008)”, we work for the conservation and restoration of animal habitats and diverse river scenery, while concurrently sustaining safety over flood control.

We are also promoting the restoration of wetlands through nature restoration projects and bettering the environment for fish climbing up or descending down river by improving fish ladders. By advancing these various activities through cooperation, we form an ecological network Note and promote the conservation and revival of the river basin ecosystem.
## • Children’s Riverside Rediscovery Project

With the cooperation of citizens’ groups, educators, and river administrators, rivers are registered as Children’s Riversides and receive various means of support from the Center for Supporting Children’s Riverside Activities. 295 locations are registered as of March 2013.

## • Riverside Fun School Project

Utilization is encouraged for riversides that are registered as Children’s Riversides and undergo riverside improvements required for enhancing experiential activities. 281 locations are registered as of March 2013.

## • National Aquatic Organism Study

This activity is conducted to raise interest in rivers by investigating creatures that live in rivers close to communities. In 2012, 61,818 people participated. 59% of the inspection points (2,432 points) were judged to have “clean water”.

## 3 Preserving and improving coastal environments

Because we must preserve animal habitats, care for scenery, and sustain appropriate usage of beaches, while protecting the coast from high tides, tsunamis, and billows, we are proceeding with maintenance and conservation that balances between “defense,” “environment,” and “usage.”

Due to beached waste originating from foreign countries, in recent years, the diminishing coastal functions and deterioration of the environment, scenery, and ecosystem, and the effects on safe navigation for ships and the fishing industry have become severe. In response, based on the “Law for Protecting Beautiful and Rich Nature through the Promotion of Disposing Beached Coastal Waste contributing to the Preservation of Coastal Scenery and Conservation of the Environment (Coastal Waste Disposal Promotion Act)”, we plan to implement effective measures for beached waste in close cooperation with relevant institutions in the future.

In addition, we are advancing the “Emergency Large-Scale Disposal Project for Beached Waste related to Disaster”, where personnel from “Multiple Beaches” from a wide area work to integrally and efficiently dispose of waste, especially for emergency disposal of large amounts of beached waste, which disrupt the functions of coastal protection facilities.

## 4 Greening port and harbor administration

## (1) Basic direction of future port and harbor environment policies

In order for ports and harbors in Japan to uphold their position as grounds for logistics, industry and living, and sustain continual growth, they must recover as much degraded or lost nature as they can, and incorporate environmental conservation in various port functions. For this reason, we are working towards “greening port administration,” which involves the two parts of port and harbor development and utilization, and conservation, revival, and creation of environments in to one consolidated subject.
(2) Actively preserving, reviving, ad creating a healthy environment

We strive to efficiently utilize dredged sediment derived from harbor maintenance, by usage in creating tidal flats, sand capping, filling pits from deep digging, and disseminating port facilities that can coexist with organisms. After the projects have been started, we will continuously monitor the status after maintenance by implementing adaptable management methods. Various organizations such as administrative agencies and research institutes will register environmental data and construct a sharable database on the ocean environment; gathering, accumulating and analyzing data. Together, we actively work to preserve, revive and create a rich natural environment in coastal areas.

In addition, the “Seaside Nature School”, which utilizes the areas preserved, revived or created, is being held in various locations throughout Japan as an effort to create opportunities for learning the importance of the natural environment.

## (3) Initiatives in measures for preventing illegal boat parking

Because illegally parked boats affect the navigation and anchorage of vessels, coastal recreation, and fishing activities, as well as raising concerns over secondary damages from tsunamis, regulatory measures are being implemented for the specification of parking prohibited zones and the enhancement of mooring capabilities for small vessels.

In May 2013, the Ministry developed the “Promotion Plan for Comprehensive Measures for the Appropriate Management and the Improvement of the Operation Environment of Pleasure Boats” in working towards the elimination of abandoned boats.
## 5 Greening roads and promoting natural environmental measures

Greening roads is crucial for providing a comfortable atmosphere for road users, creating favorable scenery, mitigating global warming and heat island effects, and developing favorable urban environment. Due to these reasons, beginning with the green shade road projects for creating bowers in the road atmosphere, we are promoting improvements to roadside trees and cooperating with roadside communities in maintenance and management. In addition, we strive to preserve and revive the environment by avoiding areas that are valuable and natural environments, for road construction from planning stages, or try to minimize the effects or implement alternative measures if it cannot be avoided.

Figure II-8-3-3

Example of Greening Roads (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

Source) MLIT

Figure II-8-3-4

Example of Lawn Square (Tottori-shi, Tottori Prefecture)

Source) MLIT

## Section 4 Building a healthy water circulation system

## Becoming a society that can enjoy the blessings of water

Thus far, the development of water resources development facilities were promoted because of the priority placed on ensuring the balance of water supply and demand in response to the rapid increase in water demand in the post-war high-growth period. On the other hand, there is pressure to respond to the various challenges that have emerged such as the vulnerability of water infrastructure like the occurrence of long-term, wide-area suspension of water supply resulting from large-scale disasters and aging facilities, the risk of climate change due to global warming, societal demands of securing a healthy water circulation system as well as strengthening Japan’s presence in contribution on an international level.

Against this background, on October 22, 2013, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held an inquiry on the “Role of Water Resources Policy of the Future” and held a deliberation session in the National Land Council Water Development Subcommittee’s Investigation Planning Committee which was then organized into the “The Role of Water Resources Policy in the Future (Interim Report)”.

Aiming for the fundamental philosophy of “A Society that can enjoy the blessing of water”, the “Interim Report” indicated that as the “First Year of Next Generation Water Policy”, now is the time to address the construction of a “Social System with Width” that can respond in a flexible and comprehensive manner in any situation which may arise, the
strengthening and maintaining of measures already implemented along with a “multi-tiered deployment” of new measures, the inflection point indicating the basic, long-term direction, and specific measures are being considered in the work of finalizing the Policy.

## 2 Measures in building a healthy water circulation system in cooperation with ministries and agencies involving water

The liaison conferences for ministries and agencies involved in building water circulation systems has published the “Initiatives for Planning a Healthy Water Circulation System,” and these ministries and agencies are working together to provide various means of support to promote activities in communities.

## 3 Establishment of the Basic Law of Water Circulation and the law concerning the promotion of rainwater use

By promoting integral and comprehensive measures for water circulation, the “Basic Law of Water Circulation” with the purpose of the sound development of the economy and society and improving the stability of citizen’s lives by restoring and maintaining healthy water circulation, as well as the “Law regarding the promotion of rainwater use” with the purpose of achieving effective use of water resources along with contributing to suppression of the intensive outflow of rainwater into sewers and rivers, were established in March 2014.

## 4 Initiatives in improving the water environment

## (1) Proceeding with water purification

For bodies of water with serious deterioration in water quality, we are striving to acquire clean river water through water purification measures such as clean water transmission, dredging sediment, and purification by vegetation in places such as Kasumigaura Lake (Ibaraki prefecture), Shinji Lake and Nakaumi Lake (Shimane and Tottori prefectures).

In addition, local municipalities, river administrators, and sewage works administrators are striving to improve the river environment of 34 rivers with seriously

Source) MLIT

Clear Stream Renaissance II
deteriorated water environments. They are working together to formulate and implement the “The Second Urgent Action Strategy for Water Environment Improvement (Clear Stream Renaissance II)” (34 locations selected).

## (2) Surveys on water quality and response to water quality hazards

Water quality surveys of rivers, lakes, and water reservoirs are crucial for activities in conserving or reviving healthy water environments. In 2012, 1,077 locations in 109 water systems were surveyed.

In addition, we are creating a map of water quality surveys and conducting studies on aquatic organisms in cooperation with local citizens. Furthermore, based on a new water quality index, which comprehensively evaluates bodies of water from various standpoints, the results for the survey conducted in cooperation with citizens showed that approximately 25% (76 locations out of 305) class A rivers were judged as “clean rivers desirable for swimming” in 2012.

However, 1,244 cases of water quality hazards involving the leakage of oils or chemicals occurred in class A water systems in 2012. As for water pollution control, the Liaison Council for Prevention of Water Pollution, consisting of river administrators and relevant administrative authorities, was set up in all 109 water systems in Japan to quickly communicate information on the occurrence of water quality hazards, and for the containment of hazards, such as installing oil fences.

· On the national level, in 2012 the proportion of survey sites that met the environmental standards for BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) value (or COD – chemical oxygen demand) was 90%.

· Of surveyed locations in the rivers, 94% of the locations had good water of 3.0mg/L of BOD, in which salmon and sweetfish can thrive.

· For environmental standard items relating to the protection of human health (27 items such as arsenic), the proportion of survey sites that met the environmental standards was approximately 99%, with most sites meeting the standards.

## (3) Improving the water environment of enclosed coastal seas

Regarding the enclosed coastal seas of the Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay, Osaka Bay, and the Inland Sea of Japan, because of the large amounts of organic pollutants and chemicals such as nitrogen and phosphate draining from land, and the loss of tidal flats and seaweed forests, the fishing industry has suffered damages from the occurrence of red and blue tides. In addition, problems such as environmental degradation and barriers to ship navigation have been occurring due to drifting garbage.

To resolve the current state, we advance activities to revive beautiful oceans by (1) sediment dredging, sand capping, and back-filling pits from mining to improve the substratum, (2) creating habitats for organisms by reviving tidal flats and seaweed forests and disseminating buildings that can coexist with nature, (3) removing floating waste and spilled oil by using sea clean up boats, and (4) reducing the amount of pollutants released into the ocean by improving sewage treatment facilities.