## (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 emission control area. 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 exhaust gas after-treatment devices (SCR equipment) which significantly reduce 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 MLIT has contributed to reduce NOx emissions from ships by retaining the effective date of NOx Tier III standards as 1st January 2016 in accordance with the MARPOL Convention, while some countries claim it should be postponed.

## (3) Responding to issues of invasive aquatic species carried by ships

Control measures on invasive aquatic species carried by ships It is pointed out that the transfer of aquatic species via ships' ballast water Note $ ^{1} $ 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. With the necessity to take action to prevent the disruption to the ecosystem caused by the harmful ballast water from international shipping and to fulfill the international responsibility under the international cooperation, the Government of Japan proposed the law to implement the Ballast Water Management Convention to the 186th ordinary session of the Diet and it passed with an unanimous vote. Moreover, Japan concluded the Convention in October 2014 Note $ ^{2} $ .

## 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, for diesel heavy vehicles, new Off-Cycle measure was deployed and regulations have been sequentially enforced since October, 2013. For diesel special vehicles, in January 2014 the regulations related to the further reduction of nitrogen oxides and measures for blow-by gas were newly revised and have been sequentially enforced since October 2014.

Meanwhile, exhaust gas measures for in-use vehicles (vehicles already in usage) such as those based on the “Amendment Act on Reduction of Total Amount of Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matters Originating from Automobiles in Designated Areas (Automobile NOx PM Law)” are being implemented; Japan is working to bolster exhaust gas measures.