International cooperation on mercury management

MINAS: MOYAI Initiative for Networking, Assessment and Strengthening

At the Diplomatic Conference of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, Japan expressed its intention to support developing countries and promote voices and messages from Minamata, through the actions titled "MOYAI Initiative." As part of this initiative, the MINAS (MOYAI Initiative for Networking, Assessment and Strengthening) is being promoted. The Program is designed to support developing countries' efforts in mercury management by providing measures including the following activities with close cooperation and collaboration with relevant agencies such as USEPA, UNEP or JICA:

• Establishing a mercury monitoring network in the Asia-Pacific region;
• Supporting developing countries for the survey and assessment of their use and emissions of mercury; and
• Conducting surveys on development needs and capacity building in developing countries.

Japan will undertake various activities proactively to lead global mercury management.

MOYAI Initiative for Networking, Assessment and Strengthening (MINAS)

Atmospheric mercury monitoring network by the Ministry of the Environment

he Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD) conduct monitoring of mercury and mercury compounds in air, particulate matter and precipitation at six sites in Japan.^*

Monitoring has been continuing since 2007 to collect information relevant to evaluate the long-term trends of the atmospheric mercury deposition, and the long-range atmospheric transport of mercury in the Asia-Pacific region.

Monitoring data is planned to be used in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention.

＊ Observation items may differ depending on the monitoring sites.