Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
construction of large-scale tunnels.

Sewage sludge also accounts for 20% of all industrial waste, reaching approximately 76 million tons in FY2012. We are working on reduction and recycling of sewage sludge.

Figure II-8-2-1 Amount of Industrial Waste by Industry Sector and Recycle Rate of Construction By-products

Source) Prepared by the MLIT from "Status on Production and Disposal of Industrial Waste" (FY2012 results) of the Ministry of Environment

Subject materials	Index	2005 Performance	2008 Performance	2012 Performance
Asphalt, concrete clusters	Recycle rate (%)	98.6	98.4	99.5
Concrete clusters	98.1	97.3	99.3
Construction generated wood	Recycling and reduction *rate (%)	90.7	89.4	94.4
Construction sludge	74.5	85.1	85.0
Construction mixed waste	Produced amount (ten thousand tons)	293	267 (9% decrease in comparison to 2005)	280 (5% decrease compared to 2005)
Total construction waste	Recycling and reduction *rate (%)	92.2	93.7	96.0
Construction generated soil	Efficient utilization rate (%)	80.1	78.6	88.3

*Reduction refers to reducing the amount of waste through incineration, dehydration, or other processes. Source) MLIT "2012 Construction By-products Status 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 the “Construction Recycling Promotion Measures Subcommittee” that have been formed in both the Environment Committee of the Panel of Infrastructure Development and the Environment Committee of the Transport System Section of the Council for Transport Policy, the relevant parties involved in construction recycling put together the “Measures related to the Promotion of Construction Recycling”, a recommendation to promote mid-term objectives for the recycling and appropriate disposal of construction by-products for the future, and MLIT formulated the fourth action plan, the “2014 Construction Recycling Promotion Plan” in September 2014.

According to this plan, MLIT will be promoting construction recycling by working on fortifying the monitoring of construction by-products distribution, inhibiting occurrence before the start of construction, promoting recycling/reduction by thorough on-site sorting and delivery to recycling facilities, promoting use of recycled materials, and promoting the efficient use and appropriate disposal of construction sludge.
Figure II-8-2-2 Data on Construction By-products

Source) MLIT

Changes in the amount of soil carried-out off-site and the amount of carried-in soil used for construction generated soil

## (2) Reducing sewage sludge and promoting recycling

MLIT is promoting the recycling of sewage sludge (2012 recycle rate 58%) and moving forward with the use of sewage sludge made into solid fuel for energy, as well as the recovery and use of phosphorus from 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. Furthermore, from 2014, MLIT has begun the “Project to Promote Low Carbon-Type Reverse Logistics by Modal Shift/Transport Efficiency” and started efforts to make reverse logistics more low carbon and low cost by promoting modal shifts and transport efficiency.
## (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.

## 3 Recycling vehicles and marine vessels

## (1) Recycling vehicles

In accordance with the “Act on Recycling, etc. of End-of-Life Vehicles (Act for automobile recycling)”, a system for confirming that end-of-life vehicles are scrapped, is being implemented. When deleting vehicle registrations from the “Road Transportation Vehicle Law,” the scheme for returns in vehicle weight tax is also conducted, in order to promote the proper disposal of end-of-life vehicles and prevent illegal dumping. Based on these systems, 1,501,084 vehicles were confirmed to have been scrapped in 2013.
## (2) Recycling marine vessels

The recycling of large vessels (ship recycle) $ {}^{Note 1} $ has generally been conducted in developing nations such as Bangladesh and India, where the frequent occurrence of human casualty accidents and marine pollution in the facilities continue to raise concern. In order to solve these issues, Japan lead discussions with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which resulted in the adoption of the “2009 Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (tentative name) (Ship Recycling Convention)”. This convention mandates the inspection and retention of proof documents for marine vessels and ship recycling facilities respectively, and also bans the use of asbestos or polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) in newly built vessels. Various guidelines to supplement the implementation of this convention were formulated under the initiative of Japan and were all adopted in October 2012.

With the goal of an early enforcement of the Ship Recycling Convention, Japan is moving forward by reviewing domestic legislation that will be necessary to ratify the Ship Recycling Convention. As a condition of enforcing the Convention, the ratification by a major recycling country is necessary. India, the world’s largest recycling country—in the meeting between Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Modi, as well as the meeting between MLIT Minister Ohta and Shipping Minister Gadkari held in September 2014—made a request that Japan provide support for improving the ship recycling facilities in India. MLIT will be providing technological support to India’s ship recycling facilities and working towards the cooperation of the two countries for the ratification of the Convention.

On other fronts, because privately owned pleasure boats are mostly made of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), which is difficult to dispose, there has been a demand for a waste processing route for proper disposal. In response, we undertook activities in building a processing route, as well as developing recycling technologies for FRP boats. As a result, approximately 600 FRP vessels are properly recycled yearly under the leadership of the Japan Boating Industry Association throughout Japan since 2005.

## 4 Efforts in Green Procurement Note 2

In light of partial revisions to the basic government policies, based on the “Law Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities (Law on Promoting Green Purchasing)”, the “Policy for promoting the procurement of ecologically friendly goods, etc.” was adopted. Based on this policy, we are actively advancing the procurement of ecology-friendly goods for building materials, construction machinery, method of construction, and objectives in public construction work.
## 5 Promoting the use of wooden building materials

Because wood is an environment-friendly building material due to reasons such as requiring less energy to process in comparison to other materials, and long-term utilization in various applications contributing to preventing global warming and forming a recycling-oriented society, we strive to encourage the utilization of wooden materials in public construction.

Based on the “Act for Promotion of Use of Wood in Public Buildings”, etc., national implementation status of wood usage promotion is published every year, and in May 2011, the “Plan for the promotion of the use of wood in public buildings” was formulated to work on the use of wood as building materials and for the interior of buildings. MLIT is working to set up technical standards relating to designing and building, and to disseminate these standards.

In addition, to promote the development of wooden houses and buildings that utilize local materials, the Ministry is working to support building of wooden long-term quality housing and certified low carbon buildings 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 Central Government

Building No.8

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, and roads.

In October 2011, as reference material for municipalities formulating a basic plan for greening, the “Items for Technical Consideration in Securing Biodiversity in the Basic Plan for Greening” which summarizes the items that need to be considered in securing biodiversity, was formulated. Further, in May 2013, MLIT formulated the “Urban Biodiversity Index (draft)” to evaluate the progress of the conditions and enforcement of biodiversity by the local governments, and is promoting the efforts of local governments to secure urban biodiversity. In March 2015, the Ministry of the Environment, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries formulated the “Non-native Species Damage Preventative Action Plan” in order to comprehensively and effectively promote Japan’s non-native species countermeasures as well as to protect and continually enjoy the rich biodiversity of Japan.
## 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 2006)”, we work for the conservation and restoration of animal habitats and diverse river scenery, while concurrently sustaining safety over flood control.

While promoting the restoration of marshland by nature restoration projects and the improvement of the upstream and downstream migration environment for fish by fixing the fish passage ways, we are also promoting the protection and restoration of the watershed ecosystem with the goal of forming a ecosystem network $ ^{*} $ Note by cooperating with various entities, as demonstrated in the project of rehabilitating storks to the wilds in Maruyama River (Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture).

Moreover, to effectively proceed with these activities, we are joining efforts with educated experts and various institutions, as well as utilizing research findings of government inspections of river areas and the Aqua Restoration Research Center, which has the largest experimental waterway in the world.

### b. Countermeasures for non-native species in the waterways

Non-native species, which are one of the threats against biodiversity, have been expanding their habitat in the waterways all over Japan. As a countermeasure, we have circulated information such as the “Guideline of Countermeasures for Non-native Plants in Rivers” and “Examples of Countermeasures for Non-native Fishes (December 2013)” and are implementing measures against foreign species in various locations.

## (2) Initiatives to recover the water supply in rivers

In order to preserve a healthy river environment, it is essential to sustain a rich supply of water. For this reason, we have specified the required amount of water in the basic policies for river improvement, based on the habitat of plants and animals, scenery, and water quality. In addition to working to sustain the supply, we are proceeding with activities for clean river recovery in recession areas downstream from dams of hydroelectric power plants. Meanwhile, in order to preserve and improve river environment downstream of dams, we are implementing flexible dam operation and tests for flexible operation (conducted in 20 dams throughout Japan as of 2014) to efficiently utilize a portion of the flood control capacity without hindering flood regulation. Furthermore, we are working to restore the water supply of rivers in urban areas, where the average amount of naturally flowing water has diminished, by pumping treated water from sewage plants.
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. With the goals to secure the functions of coastal protection facilities, to protect the coastal environment and to promote the appropriate use of the coast by the public, the Infrastructure Maintenance Comprehensive Fund is providing aid to dispose of grounded ships that have been abandoned and to remove sludge that is accumulating in unusual amounts in the coastal waters.

Furthermore, in June 2014, the Coast Act was revised to make it possible to issue a removal order to the owner of vessels that become grounded in the coastal conservation area in order to protect the coastal conservation facilities from damage.

## 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.

Figure II-8-3-2

Source) MLIT
Taking into account that a long-term vision is vital for the first year of the next-generation water policy, the response made the recommendation to switch from the current demand-based water resources policy—which responds to an increase in water demand by facilitating the increase in supply quantity with the building of new water resources development facilities—to policies that aim to facilitate further advancement, one with a “social system with bandwidth” to secure a stable water supply, and countermeasures against the aging water infrastructure, so that the blessings of water will be secured for the future against all kinds of risks such as large-scale disasters like earthquakes and critical droughts. The response also included a summary of the action items.

## 2 Initiatives in improving the water environment

## (1) Promoting water purification

The MLIT is implementing purification of contaminated water in rivers with seriously deteriorated water environments and water purification of dredged bottom mud. In addition, the local municipalities that are proactively working on the water environment improvement and related institutions such as river administrators and sewage work administrators are working together to formulate the “Second Water Environment Improvement Urgent Action Plan (Clear Stream Renaissance II)” and implementing the plan(formulated in 32 locations).

## (2) Water Quality Survey and Water Quality Accident Response

Water quality surveys are vital in conserving and maintaining a favorable water environment. In 2013, surveys were done at 1,074 locations on 109 water systems of Class A rivers.

MLIT is creating of water quality survey maps and conducting surveys of aquatic organisms in cooperation with citizens. As a result of surveys—which were based on the new water quality index with a multi-faceted evaluation of the river such as amount of garbage and odors—being conducted on Class A rivers in cooperation with the local residents, in 2013 approximately 26% (79 locations/ 308 locations) were judged to be “rivers that look clean enough for swimming.”

On the other hand, in 2013 there were 1,233 water quality accidents in Class A rivers due to spillage of oils and chemical substances. In terms of water pollution prevention, Water Pollution Prevention Liaison Councils composed of river administrators and related institutions have been put in place for all 109 waterways, and they are working on prompt information communication for incidents of water quality accidents as well as damage prevention by building oil fences.
## (1) Dissemination of sewage processing with sanitary drainage

Although the dissemination of sewage treatment plants reached around 89% (dissemination of sanitary drainage systems of around 77%) of Japan as of the end of FY2013 (total of 46 prefectures, excluding Fukushima due to effects from the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake), there is a large gap between regions. In particular, the dissemination rate of sewage treatment plants in small to medium communities with populations of less than 50,000 people remain low, only reaching a ratio of approximately 76% (dissemination rate of sewage systems approximately 49%). Focusing on improvement in areas with high population density, the advancement of efficient development in accordance to condition of communities and the rectification of the gap between communities are seen as being of the utmost importance for developing sewage systems in the future.

(Note) Due to the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, the Fukushima prefecture was excluded from the survey.

Source) Prepared by the MLIT from information materials provided by the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

### a. Initiatives towards the septic system overview in roughly 10 years

In regards to the maintenance of sewage treatment facilities, individual disposal by using septic tanks are economical in areas where households are widely distributed throughout a region, while the collective disposal with sewerage systems and drainage facilities for agricultural communities become more economical as the population density rises. For this reason, each prefecture has established a “Prefectural Plan”, a compiled maintenance plan over sewerage treatment which reflects considerations over regional characteristics such as the economic efficiency and importance of protecting water quality. Currently, in light of the population decline of recent years, MLIT is promoting an immediate re-examination of prefectural schemes and the creation of mid-term (action plan)/long-term equipping plans, in order to work towards an septic system overview in roughly 10 years. In addition, efficient means of maintenance are also being actively promoted through the implementation of cooperative schemes between other waste water treatment facilities such as cross-jurisdictional waste water treatment.
### b. Development and practical application of next generation heavy vehicles

In order to promote the development and practical application of next-generation heavy vehicles, from 2011 the technological development of high efficiency hybrid trucks, electric/plug-in hybrid trucks, and high performance electric buses was started. Efforts for practical application was also started, such as driving tests of prototype vehicles under actual use conditions, and formulation of the necessary standards.

## (2) Promotion of Railway Crossing Measures

### a. Countermeasures for Air Pollution

As the emission of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from automobiles is increased by the number of starts and stops, as well as the decrease of running speed, traffic flow improvement measures are being promoted from the standpoint of improving the roadside environment by, for example, building trunk road networks, pursuing countermeasures for bottlenecks, and instituting transportation demand management (TDM) measures.

The Correlation Between Driving Speed and the Emission of Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from Vehicles

### b. Countermeasures for noise pollution

Japan is proceeding with the lamination of low-noise pavement, installation of noise barriers, and maintenance of environmental roadside facilities. Based on the “Law for the Improvement of Areas along Trunk Roads”, in addition to preventative measures for issues caused by traffic noise, financial assistance is being provided for buffer buildings and noise insulation work for housing in construction projects in areas alongside roads.

## 2 Environmental measures for airports and surrounding areas

The most effective means of curbing aircraft noise is the implementation of low-noise equipment. In comparison to the past DC8, the current B767 only produces 80dB (A) $ ^{Note} $ of noise which has an approximately 90% smaller range of noise impact. For the areas where there is still noise impact in spite of the use of low-noise equipment, measures such as insulation work for private residences and relocation compensation projects are necessary. Most of the sound insulation work for housing, excluding continued maintenance, has been completed. Although the issues related to aircraft noise are progressing towards improvement and noise control zones in each airport are being sequentially reviewed, further measures are needed to reduce noise pollution in the future in order to promote harmonious development around airports and surrounding areas.