Environmental Policy

The Action Plan for Greening Government Operations - section 2

2. Environmental Considerations Regarding Construction and Maintenance of Buildings

The actions described below will be implemented based on the appropriate implementation of the "Standards for Location, Scale and Structure of Buildings for National Agencies and Their Affiliated Facilities (Notification No.2379 of the Ministry of Construction issued on December, 1994)."

(1)Constructing and maintaining buildings and other facilities to reduce environmental load

A. Installing appropriate pollution treatment facilities
Installation of treatment facilities shall be promoted to reduce and treat hazardous substances and other pollutants.
B. Improving efficiency of energy and material use
  1. The energy efficiency of buildings and other facilities shall be improved through efficient use of energy, e.g., solar energy effective heat insulation.
  2. The use of recycled construction materials shall be promoted.
  3. The consistent use of electricity shall be promoted.
C. Conserving water
Water conservation and water recycling shall be promoted.
D. Preserving nature on-site at buildings and other facilities
Green spaces shall be protected in and around buildings and other facilities.
E. Contracting construction work that has minimal environmental impact
  1. When structures or other facilities are to be built, contractors shall be encouraged to use construction methods that have minimal environmental impact.
  2. Contractors shall be encouraged to reduce wastes by 10% of the projected volume of waste generation during fiscal 2000.
F. Miscellaneous
  1. In principle, ozone-destroying Halons shall not be used in new installed fire extinguishing equipment. Halons shall be collected properly when existing equipment is renewed or abolished.
  2. Air conditioners not using CFCs shall be selected to reduce the use of CFCs.

(2) Maintaining buildings and other facilities to reduce environmental load and preserve nature in surrounding areas

A. Maintaining buildings and other facilities to reduce environmental load
  1. Maintenance of the facilities shall be undertaken in order to reduce and treat hazardous substances and other pollutants.
  2. CFCs shall be collected and reused properly in the maintenance of the buildings and other facilities.
B. Improving the environment through planting trees and other measures and preserving nature in surrounding areas
  1. Facilities managed by the Ministries and Agencies concerned shall actively promote planting trees to improve the environment and maintaining green spaces.
  2. Lands managed by the Ministries and Agencies concerned shall promote environmental conservation by restricting illegal dumping of wastes and implementing other measures.
C.Contributing to regional planning and development to foster a healthy environment
Land managed by the Ministries and Agencies concerned shall foster the natural environment.