Moreover, the amount of allowable oil and waste discharge from ships is regulated by the MARPOL Convention $ {}^{Note 1} $ . The regulation on waste discharge from ships was become more stringent in January 2013 through the amendments on annexes of the convention. In order to ensure proper disposal measures in ports and harbors, Japan provides support for improving reception facilities for waste oil generated in ships by means of tax policies and the formulation of the “Guideline for Reception Facilities of Ship Generated Waste for Ports and Harbors (Plan)”.

## (2) Control measures on air pollution from ships

As nitrogen oxides (NOx) would cause acid rain and provide adverse impacts on human health, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulates the NOx emissions from ships based on the MARPOL Convention. Currently, NOx Tier II limits are in effect, which reduce the NOx emissions by 20% compared to NOx Tier I limits. Further, the MARPOL Convention provides Nox Tier III limits which reduce NOx emissions by 80% compared to the Nox Tier I limits for future. The NOx Tier III limits was proposed by Japan, as one of the world's leading engine manufacturing countries. In proposing NOx Tier III limits, Japanese engine manufacturers conducted developments of a exhaust gas after-treatment device (SCR equipment) which significantly reduces NOx emissions from ships as well as in-engine combustion technologies and demonstrated availability of those technologies through onboard tests. As the results of the technological developments, it was shown that reduction of NOx emissions for Tier III limits could be achieved.

The NOx Tier III limits will enter into force on January 1 2016. The MLIT has contributed to the discussion of the reduction of air pollutant from international shipping through the technological development of NOx Tier III, development of verification guidelines for SCR denitration equipment, and providing information which shows NOx Tier III limits could be achieved by such technologies.

## (3) Control measures on invasive aquatic species carried by ships

It is pointed out that the transfer of aquatic species via ships’ ballast water $ ^{Note 2} $ and ships’ biofouling would threat marine ecosystem in waters where these ships navigate in. In order to prevent the transfer of invasive species, “International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments in 2004” and “the 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species in 2011” were adopted at the IMO. The MLIT has actively participated in the discussion on development of the guidelines at the IMO with an aim of early entry into force of the Convention. In 2013, an IMO Assembly Resolution, led by Japan, was adopted at the 28th session to relax the schedule for the installation of ballast water management systems. Furthermore, since the Convention is to enter into force near future, the implementation law of the Convention was proposed to the 186th ordinary session of the Diet $ ^{Note 3} $ .

## Section 6 Improving living environments by preventing atmospheric and noise pollution

## Policies for environmental issues related to road traffic

## (1) Measures for individual vehicles

### a. Reinforcing exhaust gas regulations

For exhaust gas measures of new vehicles, seeking to further reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emitted by vehicles, Japan established the most stringent regulations among global standards (post-new long-term regulation) in 2008, and began its consequent enforcement beginning in October 2009. In addition, test methods based on uniform domestic standards for special and two-wheeled vehicles were implemented in 2010. As for the diesel special car, tighter regulations of particle matter were set in 2010 for which the mandatory application was carried out sequentially from October 2011, along with the revision in January 2014 of relevant laws and regulations regarding further reduction of nitrogen oxides and blow-by gas measures for which the mandatory application is to be carried out sequentially starting in October 2014.