Resources for International Cooperation

  • Evaluation
    • GDP in Japan has more than double in the last two decades, whereas emissions of conventional air pollutants have decreased and ambient levels have fallen or remained relatively stable. Over the same period, fossil fuel supply increased by 41%. This represents a decoupling of the level of economic activity from emissions of conventional air pollutants.
    • This remarkable achievement was largely accomplished through: i) air pollution abatement and control policies, which prompted the development and use of pollution prevention and control equipment relating to improved combustion technology, fuel quality and exhaust gas treatment; ii) changes in the structure of the national economy, away from heavy and polluting industries (e.g. iron and steel); and iii) changes in the energy supply, with improvements in energy efficiency and come diversification of supply away from fossil fuels and towards hydropower and nuclear energy.
    • Environmental policies o air pollution prompted important technological progress in, for instance, the areas of desulphurization, denitrification and car exhaust control. The cost for enterprises was significant, but not unduly excessive considering that this work contributed to the development of exports of environmental technology, and considering the avoided damage.
    • A number of problem areas remain, however, calling for continued efforts and new initiatives. Progress in meeting EQS has been offset, particularly in metropolitan areas, by increasing transportation demands. Progress could be made through better traffic management, measures concerning diesel vehicles and strategies on fine particulates and photochemical oxidants.
    • Japan's air pollution monitoring network is probably the most sophisticated to be found in OECD countries. Nevertheless, monitoring of hazardous air pollutants such as carcinogens (e.g. benzene) and persistent and bioaccumulative substances (e.g. dioxin and heavy metals) needs to be developed, and related information made available.
  • Recommendations
    • As has been done in the case of NO2, a strategy should be developed to move towards the attainment of EQS for fine particulate matter and photochemical oxidants.
    • Further consideration should be given to monitoring of hazardous air pollutants, especially carcinogens such as benzene, and persistent, bioaccumulative substances such as dioxins and heavy metals.