March 8, 2004
In order to set a strict control on ocean dumping of waste which causes marine pollution,the Cabinet will adopt a Bill Partially Amending the Law Relating to the Prevention of Marine Pollution and Maritime Disaster on March 9, 2004. The bill will be submitted before the 159th Diet session. In response to an international demand for more effective waste management at sea, this is a preparatory step to enter into the amended protocol of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Waste and Other Matter, 1972 (referred to as "London Convention") which is scheduled to be effective in the coming two years.
The summary of the amendment is as follows:
| (1) | A new system shall be established in which the Minister of the Environment gives permission to each waste discharging enterprises after examining the following points: | |
| Efforts made for waste reduction. | ||
| Characteristics of waste. | ||
| Result of environmental assessment on the proposed disposal area. | ||
| (ii) | Actual disposal of waste based on the permission shall be confirmed by the Commandant of Japan Coast Guard. | |
| (iii) | Incineration at sea of waste deriving from land, which is currently permitted partially, shall be prohibited. | |
| (iv) | Other provisions such as punishment necessary for the new permission system shall be provided. | |
| Note: | This bill passed the Diet without any revision and was promulgated on May 19, 2004. |