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Press Release

Publication of Environmental Statistics 2004

March 30, 2004

In order to fully understand environmental problems and take effective measures, data that reflect the state of the environment objectively must be accumulated and utilized. For the third straight year, the Ministry of the Environment published Environmental Statistics 2004, a publication that provides data gathered from a wide range of perspectives, including the state of the environment, environmental load and the measures taken to tackle environmental problems.

1.   Characteristics of Environmental Statistics 2004

The publication presents all data in tables, not in graphs or diagrams, using quantitative values to facilitate use by government offices, industries, and research institutions. Special consideration was given during compilation to include (i) data showing secular changes, (ii) detailed type-specific data, and (iii) region-specific data (by prefecture or country).

The data were collected from a wide range of areas; not only to focus on the current situation but also to shed light on the various activities that cause environmental problems and to track the implementation of environmental (conservation) measures. Specifically, in line with the results of environmental indicators reviewed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), the data are published in three categories to reflect the cycle of "human activities" => "pressure" => "state" => "response" in relation to environmental problems.

Data showing the state of global warming, PRTR and dioxins were improved in the Environmental Statistics 2004. Data will be available (in Japanese only) at the web page of the Ministry of the Environment  (http://www.env.go.jp/doc/toukei/index.html).

2.   Chapters of Environmental Statistics 2004

Environmental Statistics 2003 is organized into nine chapters namely; economy and society, global warming, material cycle, atmospheric environment, water environment, chemical substances, natural environment, global environment and environmental measures.

The publication with the updated data is on sale (available in Japanese only) at a price of 2,100 yen per copy. To order, please call the Sales Department of Gyosei (publishing company) at +81-3-5349-6654 or send a facsimile to +81-3-5349-6677.

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