Quality of the Environment in Japan 1996

Part II

 (F) People's Lodge, Citizens' Rest and Recreation Centers

   People's lodge are facilities for tow cost and comfortable citizens' lodging and recreation in areas suited to recreation that are blessed with a natural environment. Citizens' rest and recreation center are fa-cilities mainly for the day trip recreational activities of the citizens of an area and for rest for health purposes in areas suited for rest and recrea-tion in natural parks, etc.
   The changes in the number of users, classified by year, of peo-pie's lodge and citizens' rest and recreation centers are seen in Table 6-1 -9 and Table 6-1-10.

Table 6-1-8 Long-distance Nature Trails

Table 6-1-8 Long-distance Nature Trails

Note : No. Of users for Tohoku Nature Trail is for the sections completed.
Source : Environment Agency

Table 6-1-9 Number of People's Lodges and Number of Users

Table 6-1-9 Number of People's Lodges and Number of Users

Note The difference between the number of loges and number of lodges in operation is the number of lodges not open for business.
Source : Environment Agency

Table 6-1-10 Number of People's Recreation Centers and Users

Table 6-1-10 Number of People's Recreation Centers and Users

Source Environment Agency

 (G) Public Health Provision Forest

   Besides assisting in the provision of facilities for the promotion of the safe and comfortable use of public health provision forests, which are excellent forests and highly functional for conservation of living en-vironment as well as for health and rest in city suburbs, improvement projects of protection forest for environmental conservation were pro-moted. Furthermore, countermeasures for Abundant Forest Creation (in 14 locations) were supported that carried out the provision of forest environments to enable citizens to become familiar with nature.
   Concerning national forests, in "recreation forests" (which cover about 410,000ha), besides carrying out the provision of facilities and for-est management, a Human Green Plan has been actively promoted that comprehensively provides sports facilities and health and rcst facilities, etc. In these recreation forests, improving forest projects has been im-plemented expanding the "Contribution for Improving Forest Project" system by calling for the cooperation of users.

 (H) Special Project "Relaxing in Mountain Villages"

   In order to promote the spending of leisure time at mountainous areas by urban residents, aimed at the revitalization of mountain areas, the "Special Project on the Management of Villages for Coming into Contact with Forests" were implemented to promote the provision of sites for experiences and learning and of facilities for exchange neces-sary to promoting urban and mountain Village interchange activities, in addition to implementation of a special project "Relaxing in Mountain" to systematically implement the provision of facilities to become ex-change bases and of space where it is possible to stroll in the forest.

 (I) Family Camp Villages

   A family camp village is a tourist facility centered on low-cost automobile camping facilities which the residents of an area can use eas-ily, built to cope with the demand for tourism and recreation and the in-creasing orientation of citizens toward nature. It contributes to area promotion, in addition to ensuring a place where people can commune with abundant nature, by carrying out preparations which give suffi-cient consideration to the conservation of the natural environment in a well-endowed natural setting.
   In FY 1995 preparations started in three places, Akita Prefec-ture's Honjo City, Yamanashi Prefecture's Jiayakawacho and Hiroshima Prefecture's Takanocho.

 (J) Family Travel Villages

   The preparation of family travel villages has been promoted be-cause they contribute to regional efforts as well as to ensuring places for tourism and recreation that can be used mainly by families in out-standing natural settings. In FY1995, the preparation of three such sites was proceeding.

 (K) Youth Nature Houses

   A youth nature house is a social education facility that aims to make youth familiar with nature, to enrich their social interactions through group lodging activities, and to temper their minds and bodies, and thus to nurture healthy youth. The construction of national youth nature houses has proceeded under a plan to prepare such facilities in 14 locations nationwide, and in FY1991 the establishment of all such fa-cilities was completed. In FY1995 the enhancement of the existing na-tional youth nature house facilities was planned.

 (L) Natural Monuments Improvement Projects

   By making natural monuments familiar to citizens, and in order to further cultivate citizens' understanding of their conservation, natu-ral monuments improvement projects are being implemented that pre-pare learning facilities and observation facilities, etc., according to the academic value and present condition of natural monuments.

  B. Development of Nature Interpretation Activities

   Nature education has been aggressively promoted through the following events, making use of the visitor centers and nature trails, etc., in order to nurture people's love of nature and nature-related ethics and to deepen their understanding of nature.
 (i) On "Greenery Day," 29 April, "Greenery Day Gatherings for Communing with Nature" have been conducted at Shinjuku Park and at natural parks nationwide.
 (ii) During the period of the "Commune with Nature Campaign" from 21st July to 20th August, at natural parks nationwide, various events have been conducted by the Nature Observation Society aimed at making contact with nature. Furthermore, as the signature event, the 40th Natural Park Conference was held in Chubu-sangaku National Park (Toyama Prefecture).
 (iii) With the objective of deepening the general public 's understand-ing of nature by walking nature, October was designated as the "Na-tional Walk Natural Trail Month" and "National Walk Natural Trail Ral-lies" were held on the nature trails of 47 prefectures. In addition, the "Park Volunteer Activity Promotion Program" which supports the ac-tivities and development of volunteers who cooperate with such activi-ties was implemented in 7 areas, such as in Otsuki-region of Ashizuri Uwakai National Park, and the "Nature Interpretation Instructor Devel-opment Program" was implemented to develop instructors for nature interpretation activities. In addition, in an effort to enhance the guid-ance of users, training was carried out for natural park guides, who are entrusted to ensure proper use of the natural park, such as the preven-tion of accidents, the dissemination of the sleanup concept, and the pro-tection of plants and animals in natural parks.
   Furthermore, efforts have been made to develop arid strengthen the Nature Conservation Volunteer Fund.
   Meanwhile, with respect to ordinary users of the forest, in order to deepen understanding of the forest and forestry, various kinds of ac-tivities explaining forests and forestry have unfolded in facilities for get-ting to know the forests and in prefectural public forests.
   In the state-owned forests, forest clubs (created under the Pro-ject To Promote Coming into Contact with the Forest) have been pro-moted to deepen understanding of nature and enjoyment at coming into contact with the forest through forest classrooms, hands-on seminars, etc.

  (4) Formation and Maintenance of the Natural Environment of Forests, Agricultural Land and the Waterfronts

  A. Forests

   To conserve forests, in addition to promoting proper forest man-agement based on the forest plan system, the maintenance and nurtur-ing of forest resources and the manifestation of the multifaceted func-tions of forests were arranged for by means of the promotion of the proper operation of the forest development permit system, the proper implementation of the safe forest system, the systematic promotion of the forest preparation project and the promotion of forest blight insect control countermeasures.

 (A) Forest Plan

   The Forest Plan System was administered to provide a compre-hensive and sophisticated approach to assure that forests perform their many functions, which include providing wood fiber resources for lum-ber, prevention of disasters in mountain regions, conservation of head-waters and conservation and formation of the environment.
   Specific activities included the approval of Special Forest Man-agement Plans that are intended to allow forests to perform sophisti-cated functions for the public benefit by promoting multi-storied forest and long rotation management. Other activities included working to-ward the proper implementation of forest improvement plans of local governments that are intended to provide for thinning and tending and other measures to promote forest improvement and establishment of regional forest plans to implement required measures in special protec-tion forests as quickly as possible.

 (B) The Forest Land Development Control System

   The Japanese Government provided assistance and guidance to prefectural governments on establishing forest land development con-trol systems which effectively achieve the goal of ensuring the proper utilization of forest land. It also assisted in the related areas of inspect-ing and monitoring of forest lands.

 (C) Protection Forests

   At the end of FY 1995, 9.06 million hectares of land had been des-ignated under the Protection Forests System. The objective of this sys-tem is to assure that forests perform their roles as a public good, which includes conserving headwaters, preventing disasters in mountain re-gions, helping to conserve and improve the natural environment and providing places for health and rest. Based on the protection forest im-provement, forest areas for protection were designated and special des-ignations were provided for forests that had deteriorated and were in need of rehabilitation to restore their environmental functions.

 (D) Forest Improvement Projects

   Forest improvement projects were systematically promoted in order to carry out the creation and improvement of broad-leaved for-ests corresponding to the characteristics of the region, and the appro-priate creation, tending and management of forests by means of multi-storied forest management and execution of natural forest management, based on the "Forest Improvement Project Plan," with the basic poli-cies of the improvement and use of diverse forests and the qualitative improvement of the level of forest resources.

 (E) Management of Forest Conservation

   To ensure multiple functions of forest, biological damage was prevented and eliminated, based on the Woodland Disease Insect Exter-mination Law. In particular, concerning countermeasures for damage by pine nematode, various prevention and elimination measures were comprehensively implemented, based on the Pine Weevil Countermea-sures Law, etc., while taking into consideration the conservation of the environment. Besides this, concerning protection forests and forests where forest fires frequently occur, in addition to patrols by forest rang-ers and forest conservation promotion personnel and the distribution of fire prevention and control equipment, support was given to the imple-mentation of improvement of forests for fire prevention as well as to the improvement of firebreak forests and firebreak forest roads. Further-more, activities were implemented to promote help for the prevention of forest fires by running "National Campaigns to Prevent Forest Fires."
   To promote the participation and cooperation of the general pub-lic in the maintenance and improvement of forest lands, measures that were adopted included the active promotion of the Profit-Sharing For-est System ; the promotion of planting and forest improvement activi-ties through the National Fund for Forests, Greenery and Waters; the conducting of comprehensive research on the improvement, use, and other aspects of forests to respond to the public's expectations concern-ing forest resources ; and other activities to heighten public understand-ing and awareness of the nation's forests.
   National forests were classified into the following types, accord-ing to the function most greatly manifested among their various func-tions ; Land Conservation Forests, Nature Conservation Forests, Rec-reation and Welfare Forestry, and Timber Production Forests. Based on this, forest management was promoted that took into consideration the maintenance and formation of the natural environment, such as the proper improvement of artificial forests that include the promotion of natural forest management and the creation of multi-storied forests, and the creation of broad-leaved forests.

  B. Agricultural Land

   The proper maintenance and creation of agricultural land is be-ing planned from the viewpoint of being able to demonstrate the public benefit functions possessed by agriculture and rural areas, which pro-vide beautiful landscapes and are blessed by nature and environmental conservation. Besides promoting the creation of agricultural village spaces, or "eco-villages," blessed with diverse biota and rich environ-ments, and assisting in such projects as comprehensively carrying out, while taking into consideration the conservation of ecosystems, the im-provement of living environments and projects to conserve spaces for habitats (biotopes), such as in the vicinity of reservoirs, study has been carried out concerning how to arrange and maintain effective agricul-tural facilities in order to ensure biological diversity, and concerning methods for implementing projects to prepare rural areas that take into consideration the conservation of rare wild animal and plant species.
   Besides supporting research and human resources development, in order to promote the conservation activities of regional residents and land improvement facilities by the formation of foundations in prefec-tures, in order to satisfactorily improve and manage the beautiful land-scape and environments of rural areas, the local residents, the local com-panies and the municipalities jointly reviewed the local environment and carried out projects in order to promote local environmental en-hancement movements (groundworks). Furthermore, in order to con-tribute to the maintenance and creation of the natural environment, ag-ricultural community waste water projects were promoted, and corre-sponding to the actual situations of the regions, the provision of special sustainable public sewer systems has been promoted.
   Concerning the promotion of sustainable agriculture, making use of the material circulation function possessed by agriculture, while con-sidering harmonization with productivity, the national development of sustainable agriculture by means of a reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides through soil building was planned. For this reason, in ad-dition to guidance promoting sustainable agriculture in prefectures, de-ciding on promotional policies in cities, towns and villages and preparing facilities to put it into practice, and in order to arrange for the high level use of fertilizer originating in the livestock industry, regional base facili-ties were prepared in order to deepen the understanding of sustainable agriculture in addition to ensuring quality characteristics and the fertil-izing effectiveness of these fertilizers. Furthermore, in order to promote the appropriate handling of livestock manure and the use of accumu-lated barnyard manure in land cultivation agriculture, the provision of facilities for handling and use of livestock manure was carried out in co-operation with farm family guidance related to livestock industry con-servation and the land cultivation sector.
   Agricultural lands among agricultural areas in urbanization ar-eas were appropriately conserved so that their function as a green area could be maintained. Public farms were promoted, in order to arrange to make use of them as places of interchange for urban residents.

  C. Shoreline Areas

   In shoreline areas (places where a region's residents come into contact with the nearby water), in addition to the water conservation. measures to date of the preparation of purification facilities and dis-charged water regulations, measures to create bases where residents who have a concern for the shoreline environment are able to think about the relationship between water and people in their lives, and envi-ronment development that is able to participate spontaneously in envi-ronmental conservation, have developed. In particular, concerning areas that are causing concern about a worsening of water quality, even among the "100 famous water areas," and the revitalization of the shoreline environments where small animals and plants can live, such as the animals, frogs and killifish, and the plants, reeds, spontaneous water environmental conservation activity by residents by the creation and revitalization of shoreline space, such as the recovery of the former shape, was supported.

  (5) Creation of the Natural Environment

  A. Improvement of Green Areas in. Urban Areas

   Based on the Urban. Green Space Conservation Law, deciding on a "Master Plan of Parks and Open Space" by cities, towns and villages, was promoted and, based on that, measures to ensure the greenery and open space in urban areas were comprehensively and systematically developed.

  B. City Parks

   In FY 1995, based on the Fifth Five-year Plan for the Develop merit of City Parks, in order to arrange for ensuring the safety of citi-zens, promoting the formation of a vital, long-lived society and the men-tal and physical health of citizens, the contact of urban residents with nature, the creation of amenity in urban areas, responding to the wide-spread demand for recreation and coping with the actual situation and the diverse needs of a region, projects to develop city parks, emphasiz-ing the following items, were positively arranged with a project ex-pense of 372,827 million yen.
   Provision of government-managed parks has proceeded at 16 lo-cations nationwide.
   Provision of city parks that have coped with various measures, such as parks with the purpose of improving the residential environ-ments in rural areas (country parks), key parks for regional activation, based on regional features, public green farms that become places where urban residents can come into contact with mother nature, ur-ban model district projects for the creation of places to come into con-tact with nature by the greening activities of private lands, urban ecol-ogy greening parks to be able to come into contact with wild birds in ur-ban areas, and the provision of city parks that have particularly paid at-tention to maintaining and promoting the health of the people, city parks together with social welfare facilities that take into consideration the handicapped and aged, green space for disaster prevention, and city parks that function as evacuation routes and shelter areas when there is an earthquake or fire have been positively promoted.

  C. National Gardens and National Cemeteries

   Since FY 1971 the Environment Agency has managed the Outer Garden of the Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Imperial Garden and Kyoto Im-perial Garden as national gardens and they have become widely and generally used and familiar. The Outer Garden of the Imperial Palace (including the Kitanomaru district) have an area of 114.9 ha. Of that, the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace is provided focusing on a lawn and black pines, and the Kitanomaru district is provided as a forest park. Furthermore, Shinjuku Imperial Garden is the representative garden of the Meiji Period and can be said to be an entirely modern Western gar-den. In the 58.3ha garden, besides 1,500 cherry trees, flowering trees are provided so that they can be enjoyed throughout the park and about I million people visit the park annually. Furthermore, Kyoto Imperial Gar-den is almost in the center of Kyoto. Within the rectangular grounds, 1300 meters north and south by 700 meters east and west, except for the Kyoto old Imperial Palace, the park area of 65.3ha fulfills a central park-like role for Kyoto City. Furthermore, in Shinjuku Imperial Garden and Kyoto Imperial Garden "Mother and Child Forests" were estab-lished for the purpose of having still more opportunity for children to make contact with nature and they are being made use of as places for nature observation.
   The Chidorigafuchi War Dead Cemetery is a park area of about 1.6ha. The remains of 337,427 war dead (as of May 1995) gathered from abroad after the war who were not able to be returned to their families have been laid to rest here.
   In order to contribute to the pleasurable use of these parks, in FY 1995, besides improving the park paths and dredging the ponds, and in addition to cleaning within the parks and taking care of the lawns and trees, the Wadakura fountain in the outer garden of the Imperial Palace that was built in 1961 in commemoration of the wedding of the Emperor and Empress, and the surrounding park area, were prepared anew as the Wadakura Fountain Park at the time of the wedding of the Crown Prince and princess. Furthermore, the Imperial Palace Outer Garden Nijubashi front railings were repaired, the Ushigafuchi floodgate water-course was repaired, the old Kyoto Imperial Palace gate was repaired, the Shinjuku Imperial Garden chrysanthemum cultivation house was rebuilt and the Chidorigafuchi Cemetery for the War Dead wisteria trel-lis was provided.

  D. Improvement of the River Environment

 (A) Rivers

   In order to collect basic information concerning the river envi-ronment, the National Census of the River Environment, which sur-veyed the living conditions of organisms in rivers and. darn reservoirs and in their vicinities, was conducted at 130 rivers and 58 dams. Draw-ing on the detailed knowledge of people who are familiar with. riparian environments in various regions, the "River Environment Conservation Monitoring System" was implemented that contributes to the detailed management of the riparian environment.
   Concerning the improvement of the river environment, deciding on formulation of the Master Plan for River Environment Management was promoted (as of the end of FY 1995 this program covered for 655 river systems), and based on these, in addition to taking into considera-tion the conservation of the natural environment, the riverfront areas were improved to provide places of rest and recreation to the residents as public spaces of water and. greenery, and various measures were im-plemented to promote measures for the proper use of the natural envi-ronment of the rivers, and, in order to arrange to rationalize the water circulation of basins.
   "River Environment Improvement Projects (Channel Prepara-tion Project)" which take account of the environment and develop pleas-ant riverfront areas were implemented at 202 rivers (budget of 1,786 million yen); "River Environment Improvement Projects (Projects for Promotion of the Use of Rivers)" which use the river surface, etc., w re implemented at 14 rivers (budget of 3,089 million yen); the "Traditional Riverside Scenery Restoration Project," which includes riverfront land-scape and facility maintenance projects, was conducted at 1$33 rivers; the "My Town, My River Improvement Projects," which run in con-junction with urban area facility development at 4 rivers, and the "Cherry Tree Embankment Projects," to encourage interaction with nature through the creation of pleasant brook and stream environments, were implemented at 91 locations. Furthermore, "Projects for th Crea-tion of Rivers with a Natural Environment," aimed at creating an excel-lent living habitat for creatures living in river environments as well as conserving the natural landscape of river environments, were imple-mented; the "Project for Promotion of the Creation of Rivers Friendly to Anadromous Fish," which improved the environment for fish going upstream by means of the installation of a fish ladder, etc., and other projects aimed at improving the river environment for fish, were con-ducted; "Mahoroba Projects for the Creation of Rivers, which take into consideration the aged and the handicapped and improved river envi-ronments that are enjoyable for everyone, were implemented; and, "River Restoration Projects," which carry out high-quality river im-provement were implemented.
   Some objections have been raised to the Nagara River Dam Con-struction Project. In FY 1991, under the guidance of well-informed per-sons with academic and other credentials the Ministry of Construction and the Water Resources Development Corporation conducted addi-tional studies of the environmental impact of this dam construction pro-ject, conferring with the Environment Agency. The results of these sur-veys, which were announced in April 1992, were that construction of the dam would not have a detrimental effect on the water quality of the Nagara River or impact on the species of fish that migrate to the river mouth. Further studies were conducted in FY 1994 by the Ministry of Construction and the Water Resources Development Corporation, and functions of fish ladders, etc., were confirmed. Based on these survey re-sults, on discussions in a round-table conference conducted over March and April 1995 and on the opinions of municipalities, because it was re-garded as necessary to hurry dredging in riparian works, and in irriga-tion also, full-scale operation started from 23 May 1995 due to a decision of the Minister of Construction.
   Moreover, in order to study the changes in the environment after the clam has started operation, a monitoring committee composed of persons of learning and experience was established and various obser-vations are continuing to b mad of environmental aspects and, the es-tuary dam is operating while taking the river environment sufficiently into consideration from now on as well.

 (B) Areas near Dams

   Environmeuti Arrangement Projects around Dams and Reser-voirs," which include readjusting th land, measures to prevent soil ero-sion on slopes and planting, were implemented to promote various uses of dam sites with op n space and to improve the public waterfront amenity. Projects were conducted at a total of 38 dams, including three dams such as Nagase Dam, etc. The budget for these projects was 3,019.55 million yen. "Dam Water Environment Improvement Projects" were implemented to recover river environments, including habitats for fish around dams at a total of six dams (budget of 1,132.85 million yen), including a new project at Koshiba Dam.
   To create usable reservoir areas where water levels are constant and to deal with sediment, Dam Projects for Development of Recreation on Dam Reservoirs were undertaken on one dam site at a cost of 968 million yen. Also, working with local government in projects in which they have taken the lead, 2,625,37 million yen was provided for Multi-Purpose Dam Projects for Development of Recreation involving the con-struction of recreational areas and dams on three dam sites.

 (C) Areas near Sand Erosion Control Facilities

   Sand erosion prevention and environmental improvement pro-jects, which improve the living environment to ensure greenery and waterfront spaces and aim for harmonization with the natural environ-ment in torrential rivers around urban areas, were implemented at 23 torrential rivers (budget of 1,599 million yen). "Torrential River Restora-tion Projects," which revitalize good torrential environments and aim to recover the ecosystem and improve the public waterfront amenity and the landscape, were implemented at three torrential rivers (budget of 198 million yen).
   Furthermore, study to formulate Torrential River Environ-mental Improvement plans was carried out in order to promote Sand erosion prevention and environmental improvement projects that pre-vent erosion and conserve the landscape and ecosystems, etc., at torren-tial rivers. And, in order to collect the basic information to implement these projects, the survey which was composed of natural environ-mental surveys and surveys of the actual use of torrential river spaces was conducted.
   Concerning countermeasures to landslides in urban areas, pro-jects which utilize the existing trees for the conservation of slopes were carried out.

  E. Preparation of the Environment in Harbors and Fishing Ports

 (A) Harbors

   From the viewpoint of promoting the attainment of harbors that coexist with the environment (eco-port), a model project that will give a nationwide example of improvement in an early stage was implemented in Yokohama. Furthermore, the "Harbor Environment Plans," which comprehensively and systematically formulates measures for the con-servation and the creation of an environment that has utilized the clean-ing function, public waterfront amenity, and the ecosystems, in the har-bors located in the three big bays where environmental improvement is being hastened, were formulated in Mikawa Harbor and Nakashiro-wan Harbor.
   In order to create comfortable environments that heighten the public waterfront amenity in a harbor and to provide places of rest for users of the harbor, in FY 1995, improvement projects of green space were carried out in 165 ports, such as in Fushiki Toyama Port. Further-more, the Ministry also coordinated Historic Port and Harbor Environ-ment Creation Projects, in efforts to preserve the historic port facilities and improve the environment in and around historic ports and harbors.
   Marinas which have excellent landscape and public waterfront amenities are expected to create aesthetically pleasant and comfortable spaces, their improvement projects were promoted in harmony with the natural environment from the viewpoint of creating comfortable en-vironments. In FY 1995, public works projects which include marina im-provement projects at the Amagasaki Nishinomiya Ashiya Port, etc,, and projects to improve "pleasure boat facilities" at Shiogama Port, etc., were conducted. Furthermore, since FY 1986, Coastal Resort Projects have been carried out at 54 sites to promote the improvement of safe and comfortable ocean recreation bases that are harmonized with the surrounding environment.

 (B) Fishing Ports

   "Eco-Friendly" fishing port projects were implemented by im-proving breakwaters with a seawater exchange function, developing re-vetments which provide habitats and breeding areas for aquatic ani-mals and plants, and. improving beaches, which alleviate impacts upon the natural environment. These projects were implemented at 35 sites throughout Japan.
   Furthermore, the improvement of fishing community waste water facilities to decrease the load of waste water flowing into the wa-ters of fishing ports were implemented at 139 sites throughout Japan, and Improvement Works of Fishing Port Environment, which include water conservation measures to remove the sludge from fishing ports and the improvement of facilities to dispose of floating trash inside fish-ing ports at 131. Site throughout Japan.

  F. Improvement of the Coastal Environment

   In response to the increased popularity of a diverse range of ma-rine recreation and the accompanying development along coastal re-gions, Seacoast Environment Improvement Projects were implemented, aimed at conserving and creating pleasant coastal recreational areas. These include conserving and restoring the shores to ensure habitats and creating spaces in which people can come into contact with the sea and which have excellent landscape. In FY 1995, projects were carried out at 350 sites throughout Japan and 66,127.35 million yen was allo-cated for these projects.
   The creation of seaweed beds, tidal flats and dredge of sludge were carried out. Local finance measures were newly conducted to sup-port the conservation and restoration of seaweed beds and tidal flats by local independent projects.

  G. Measures for the Afforestation Promotion Movement

   The development of a national extensive afforestation promotion movement is being planned centered on the Afforestation Promotion Liaison Council (chaired by the Chief Cabinet Secretary), composed of the nine ministries and agencies concerned, that arranges mutually close liaison of the related administrative organizations regarding the afforestation of the nation's land and promotes comprehensive and ef-fective measures. The "1995 Afforestation Promotion Movement," which carried out diverse measures such as the promotion of commun-ing with nature, the promotion of the creation of people's participation forests, the activation of regions through greenery, the promotion of greenery in cities, and further, global environmental conservation was arranged. In addition to arranging to raise people's consciousness with respect to greenery through various events centering on "Greenery Day" and "Greenery Week," the following kinds of measures were im-plemented and the further development and establishment of the move-ment was planned.
 (i) Commendations were awarded to local public entities that imple-mented particularly excellent forest creation and promoted the "Cam-paign for Forests Where Small Birds Sing," which planned the prepara-tion of places where people can become familiar with wild birds and the creation of environments suitable for the lives of wild birds, by prepar-ing facilities for the purpose of observing wild birds, and planting, culti-vating and conserving trees liked by wild birds, such as trees that bear fruit, in familiar locations.
   In activities to raise private funds for greening campaigns, the Environmental Agency obtained the cooperation of the Greenery by Golfers Group, a nonprofit organization, in Collecting donations from golfers for greening campaigns.
 (ii) A number of projects, including the National Tree Planting Festi-val, to promote the greening of national land, were subsidized. Addition-ally, the formulation of programs for the multiple-use of forests and the formation of community groups to participate in afforestation projects were promoted.
   Assistance is also provided for such projects as model forest de-velopment and improvement to: promote technology development, health and recreation, culture, and education ; and establish and gain a better understanding of the need to train specialists to maintain the health of trees and forests and of especially big and ancient trees.
   In addition to these activities, the greening campaigns which evolved around Greenery Day, Greenery Week and Green Feather fund -raising and other campaigns were carried out across the nation.
   In order to maintain the basic characteristics of the "Green Feather" fund-raising campaigns on the basis of the spontaneous par-ticipation of each citizen of the country and to reinforce the campaign and diversify measures, the "Law on Promotion of Forest Management by the Green Feather Campaign" was established and enforced in 1995. Based on this law, the improvement of forests, the promotion of the greening activities and international greening activities will be con-ducted.
 (iii) Efforts for greening around factories were made under the Fac-tory Location Law, and activities which include the provision of factory greening consulting services, holding of seminars, and distribution of educational brochures were implemented in cooperation with prefec-tural governments. The Minister of International Trade and Industry is-sued awards to companies to recognize outstanding achievements in the improvement of natural environments in and around their factories. The Japan Development Bank and the Small Business Finance Corpora-tion help arrange financing for factory greening programs.
 (iv) Concerning the promotion of urban greening in cities, a number of urban greening events such as the Campaign for the Promotion of Greening in Cities, between April and June, which includes "Green Day," "Green Week" and other activities, and the "Month for Greening in Cities," in October, were held throughout Japan, and the develop-ment of greening in cities was promoted as a nationwide campaign.
   Furthermore, the improvement of consultation centers on green space, providing guidance for the conclusion of greening agreements, the expansion of financial assistance to the Planting fund for Greening in Cities and the Fund for Greening in local cities and regional greening ac-tivities by "residents, business and administration" in cooperation, were implemented.

  (6) Promotion of Survey Research

   In FY 1995, as the Fifth National Survey on the Natural Environ-ment, the Vegetation Survey, the Coastal Survey and the Environ-mental Indicator Species Survey were conducted. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of conserving biological diversity, the Biological Diversity Survey, composed of the Species Diversity Survey, which studies an entire picture of a present state of species distribution, and the Ecosys-tem Diversity Survey, which comprehensively studies the regions that an important ecosystem form, was implemented continuing from FY 1994 (Figure 6-1-2).
   Moreover, survey research was promoted in order to contribute to the strengthening of countermeasures to manage the protection of birds and animals and the protection of endangered wildlife, and to con-serve the natural environment in the natural regions of village land.

Fig. 6-1-2 Overview of the National Survey on the Natural Environment

Fig. 6-1-2 Overview of the National Survey on the Natural Environment

Source : Environment Agency

2. The Priority Development of the Policies of Each Region

 The various measures mentioned in I above were developed in mountainous areas, countryside areas with high human impact and coastal seas based on the characteristcs of these areas.

  (1) Mountainous Areas

   The Environment Agency is carrying out rehabilitation and con-servation projects in natural areas, and field preparation for high-level learning and exploration of nature in core areas of National Parks and Quasi-National Parks.
  In order to further the proper protection of valuable ecosystems within national parks, programs and studies have been contionued in the Odaigahara hondo spruce forests of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park, and conservation measures for the Sarobetsu Plain of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park.
   Furthermore, priority management projects have been imple-mented with the c op ration of the related forestry government offices in the Shiretoko National Park, the Yakushima Island area in the Kirishima-Yaku National Park and the Shirouma area in Chubu-sangaku National Park

  (2) Countryside Areas

   Bases that make use of familiar natural surroundings where peo-ple come into contact t with living creatures, rest in the midst of nature and can actually feel symbiosis with nature are in the Furusato (home-town) Nature Network and, in 1995, preparations were implemented at nine new locations and continued ~t fin locations. Bases include the fol-lowing types:
 (I) Communities with natural surroundings and culture
 (ii) Communities for communion with nature and native living creatures
 (iii) The countryside nature trails
 (iv) Beach s for Coming into contact with living creatures
 (v) Hot spring areas is aimed at contact with nature and peace of mind
 (vi) National health insurance hot spring areas
   Furthermore, surveys and res arch have been conducted con-cerning how to conserve and use the secondary natural environments existing together in this region such as valleys, harbors, fields and for-ests with miscellaneous trees.

  (3) Level Ground Nature Area

   The deciding, by cities, towns and villages, on "Basic plans re-garding afforestation and greenery conservation (Greenery Basic Plans)," which were established by a revision of the Urban Green Area Conservation Law, was promoted.

  (4) Coastal Areas and Seas

   In order to protect the coral reef scenery of the marine park zone in the National Parks and Quasi-National Parks, the Environment Agency is providing financial assistance to local government for pro-jects to exterminate Acanthaster planci and Drupella cornus.

Section 2. Ensuring Biological Diversity and Protection and Management of Wild Fauna and Flora

   From the viewpoint of ensuring biological diversity, including each level of diversity within species, between species and of ecosys-tems, besides deciding on a national strategy on biological diversity, based on the "Convention on Biological Diversity," efforts have been made for the appropriate protection and management of individuals and species of wild fauna and flora and to ensure the habitat of wildlife.

1. Comprehensive Promotion of Measures Related to Ensuring Biological Diversity

   Based on the "Convention on Biological Diversity," the national strategy on biological diversity that clarifies Japan's basic policies for the implementation of the Convention and its future policy directions was decided at the Council of Ministers for Global Environmental Con-servation held on 31 October 1995 and the measures concerned with en-suring biological diversity will be comprehensively and systematically promoted, based on the strategy.
   Furthermore, in addition to developing education and public awareness activities by holding a symposium concerning the impor-tance of ensuring biological diversity, in order to ensure biological diver-sity that corresponds to regional characteristics, the study of regional biogeographical divisions, and the study of the creation of guidelines for deciding on regional plans based on these have been done. Furthermore, study has been started, from the viewpoint of biological diversity, con-cerning the way to evaluate and conserve the natural environment and the way of evaluation and conservation methods of the secondary natu-ral environment, including the natural environment preparation pro-jects, should be used, so as to contribute to the development of biologi-cal diversity conservation measures from now on. Furthermore, con-cerning the technology used in preparing biotopes and restoring and protecting ecosystems, study is being conducted from the viewpoint of ensuring biological diversity and preparation of technical guidelines has been started.

2. Control of the Seizure and Transfer of Wild Animals and Plants and Preparation of Habitat Environment

  (1) Promotion of Various Measures Based on the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

   In order to systematically plan for the conservation of endan-gered species of wild fauna and flora, in Japan and abroad various meas-ures have been promoted based on the Law for the Conservation of En-dangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora that went into effect in 1993.
   In the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, endangered species native to Japan are designated as National Endangered Species, and species that are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as those in the lists of species to be protected under the bilateral migratory bird agreements are desig-nated as International Endangered Species, and hunting, transfer and the like of their individuals, and the transfer and the like of organisms, parts and derivatives thereof are restricted. When necessary, the habi-tats of National Endangered Species are designated Natural Habitat Conservation Areas and various activities are restricted. Furthermore, Program for Rehabilitation of Natural Habitats and Maintenance of Vi-able Populations have been formulated for their proper and effective im-plementation to promote breeding of individuals and maintenance and improvement of their habitats.
   In addition to the 48 species already designated as National En-dangered Species, in January 1996 the three species, yashagerzgorou (yasha diving beetle),yanbarutenagakogane (yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle) andgoishitsubameshijimi(goishi tsubame gossamer-wing), were additionally designated.
   Concerning Natural Habitat Conservation Areas, management work such as observation and study of habitats and placement of label-ing is being carried out in Handa Miyako Bittering Habitat Protection Area (Otawara-shi, Tochigi Pref.) and Kitadakesou Habitat Protection Area (Ashiyasu-mura, Yamanashi Pref.), desingnated in December 1994.
   As Program for Rehabilitation of Natural Habitats and Mainte-nance of Viable Populations, in addition to those four species that have already been formulated, short-tailed albatross, Japanese crested ibis, Japanese crane and Blakiston's fish-owl, in July 1995 plans for the four species, Iriomote wildcat, Tsushima wildcat, Miyako bitterling and Ki-tadakesou were newly formulated.
   Concerning the Wildlife Protection Center that is the basis for promoting Rehabilitation of Natural Habitats and Maintenance of Viable Populations, education and research studies, in addition to the already completed Kushiro Shitsugen Wildlife Protection Center, Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Protection Center and Iriomote Wildlife Protection C enter, preparation has started at two new locations, Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture and Haboro in Hokkaido Prefecture.

  (2) Promotion of Programmes for Rehabilitation of Natural Habitats and Maintenance of Viable Populations

   Rehabilitation of Natural Habitats and Maintenance of Viable Populations and surveys for planning the preservation of endangered species native to Japan have continued to be implemented in the follow-ing ways.
 (i) For the Japanese crested ibis, in addition to continuing to breed an individual at the Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Protection Center, based on Japanese-Chinese cooperation, surveys have been carried out in order to protect Japanese crested ibis in China.
 (ii) Centering on the Iriomote Wildlife Protection Center, surveys have been carried out of the rare species of Iriomote Island, including the Iriomote wildcat.
 (iii) Surveys, capture and monitoring have been implemented in or-der to carry out breeding with the purpose of reintroduction into the habitat of the Tsushima Cat.
 (iv) In addition to implementing construction for the maintenance and improvement of the environment of the existing breeding sites of the short-tailed albatross, projects have been implemented in order to decoy new individuals to the new breeding site. It has been confirmed that it is becoming established, such as by the first confirmation of one egg-laying breeding pair in the new breeding ground.
 (v) Concerning the Japanese crance, food has been provided in the winter and monitoring surveys have been carried out in order to study the living conditions. According to a simultaneous survey in January 1996, 598 individuals were confirmed to be living. Furthermore, in order to contribute to the conservation of th crane, study on the dispersion of individual flocks has started.
 (vi) Concerning the Blakiston's fish owl, the installation of nest boxes and projects to provide food hay been implemented, While utilizing the breeding cages of th Kushiro Wildlife Protection Center, projects have been promoted for the introduction of young individuals into new habi-tats.
 (vii) In the habitat of the Miyako bitterling, in addition to getting rid of introduced species from abroad that are affecting the lives of the original species, surveys and studies have been carried out concerning policies to stabilize and improve the living environment. Furthermore, preparation and monitoring, etc., of the living environment have been carried out in the habitat protection area.
 (viii) Concerning the rare plants of Ogasawara, the technical develop-ment of artificial breeding and reintroduction into the area where it grows wild have been implemented.
 (ix) Surveys were conducted to study the living conditions and the breeding environments of the individual golden eagles of western Japan. Furthermore, in th Kyushu area where it is particularly difficult to maintain individuals, introducing a chick from areas where the breeding rate is high has been studied.
 (x) Concerning the Abe salamander, surveys were conducted to study the living environment and the living conditions in order to con-tribute to rehabilitation of habitats and maintenance of populations.
 (xi) Concerning the Jacob's ladder surveys and studies of habitat management methods have started.
   Furthermore, concerning three spcies that were designated emergency desigated spcies in December 1994 for being confirmed to breed or to distribute in Japan, the eagle owl, the Kumejima firefly and the Iriomote fir fly, surveys have continued to b conducted in order to study their living conditions.
 (xii) Concerning the habitat of rare wild fauna and flora in state-owned forests, in addition to establishing the Forest Biosphere Reserve, the Forest Genetic Resources Resrfve and the Plant Community Re-serve as necessary, managing the protection of these habitats was prop-erly carried out. Furthermore, in addition to implementing tours of in-spection in order to protect the targeted domestic rare wild animal and plant species, such as the Tsushima wildcat, the surveys necessary for the preparation and maintenance of their habitats were carried out and, based on the survey results, projects were implemented to plan the preparation and maintenance of the habitats and their surrounding en-vironments.

3. Management of Wildlife Populations

  (1) The promotion of the Protection and Management of Wildlife

  A. The Promotion of Projects for Protecting Wildlife

   In order to actively promote wildlife protection measures from a long-term perspective, measures such as the establishment of Wildlife Protection Areas (Table 6-2-1), the prevention of illegal capture, the con-trol of hunting of harmful wildlife were comprehensively promoted, based on the Seventh Plan for Protection of Wildlife Protection Project Plan.

Table 6-2-1 Wildlife Protection Areas

Table 6-2-1 Wildlife Protection Areas

Source: Environment Agency

  B. The Promotion of Appropriate Hunting

   Because hunting under appropriate management plays a certain role as a method for controlling the population of wildlife guidance was provided to the persons concerned for ensuring appropriate hunting, in-cluding instruction in preventing accidents and violations of the law, and studies necessary to review the game species and either the limits or prohibitions on capture have proceeded.
   Furthermore, guidance was given to the prefectures and the hunting association so as to promote appropriate hunting to make sure that hunting accidents an illegalities are prevented. The number of hunting licenses issued and the number of birds and mammals captured by hunting are shown in Table 6-2-2.

Table 6-2-2 hunting Licenses Issued and Number of Wildlife Hunted

Table 6-2-2 hunting Licenses Issued and Number of Wildlife Hunted

Source: Environment Agency

   Under the hunting Ar a System, certain parts of hunting grounds arc specified and, while efforts are made to release game and conduct active breeding programs in those areas, the number of days when hunting is allowed and the number of hunters are restricted in or-der to assure that these activities are carried out in an orderly manner. Areas specifed under this system are shown in Table 6-2-3.

  C. Promotion of Migratory Bird Protection Countermeasures

   In Teuri Island in Hokkaido, which is a National Wildlife Protec-tion Area, projects to conserve the habitats of seabirds have been imple-mented.
   Concerning surveys regarding the living conditions of wildlife, monitoring surveys such as banding research at bird-banding stations, conducting census of waterfowl populations, fixed point research of shore birds, and survey of the population trends of Japanese serow were implemented.

Table 6-2-3 Designation of Hunting Areas

Table 6-2-3 Designation of Hunting Areas

Source: Environment Agency

   Furthermore, in Lake Biwa, which is registered as Ramsar Site, the provision of a waterfowl and wetland center that will b come a base for public education and awareness on the conservation of waterbirds and wetlands was promoted.

  D. Measure for Protection of Wildlife and Prevention of Damage

   The "Wildlife Management Manual for Specified Regions" with the objective of creating guidelines to arrange the coexistence of human life and the protection of wildlife has been implemented since F Y 1992. and in FY 1995 investigation was carried out on protetion and manage-ment methods of the Asian black bears in the Kii Peninsula.
   In addition, verification surveys of methods protrection counter-measures and countermeasures for preventing damage to agriculture and forestry, regarding the Asian black bears and the Japanese ma-caques, basic research regarding the management of th wild boar population, and research regarding identification methods for birds na-tive to Japan and birds native to foreign countries were conducted.
   Moreover, among game species, living condition surveys con-cerning the falcated teal and the Ezo rock ptarmigan, the number of which is thought to be decreasing, were conducted.

  (2) Promotion of Conservation and Management of Fisheries Resources

   Concerning the conservation and management of fisheries re-sources, in addition to carrying out regulatory measures, including cap-ture limits based on the Fisheriu Law and the Fisheries Resources Pro-tection Law, and besides regulating the capture limits in order to pro-tect rare aquatic animals and plants, the following countermeasures were implemented.
 (i) In order to propagate and protect aquatic animals and plants whose resource is conspicuously decreasing, the necessary manage-ment and surveys have been carried out in the protected waters that has been designated based on the Fisheries Resources Protection Law.
 (ii) In order to prevent released fry of sweetfish and trout from wan-dering into th water intake and discharge ditches of watercourses for agricultural use, so as to promote the effective use of fishery resources, in addition to surveying the actual situation of entry of released fry in such areas, the Countermeasure to Prevent the Entry of Released Fry Project aiming at the development of technology to prevent the wan-dering in was implemented.
   Furthermore, the agricultural water use facility fish ladder preparation promotion project was implemented in order to protect the ecosystem by controlling the downstream flow of an appropriate amount of river water to smooth the way for fish going upstream.
   In order to conserve the Ryukyu sweetfish, a project that planned to settle the Ryukyu sweetfish in their natural habitat in Oki-nawa Prefecture was carried out.
 (iii) Preservation measures have continued to be applied, such as the principle of prohibiting capture, concerning the sea turtle (two species), the whale (three species) and the dugong, for which protection is re-garded as necessary,
   Also, concerning blue whales, whose population has been dwin-dling, surveys have been conducted in order to study their population, migration and ecology, to elucidate constructive resource recovery measures.
   Moreover, in order to preserve the sea turtle, besides carrying out regulation concerning capture, sale and keeping it, assistance has been given with respect to protection projects such as the removal of waste including a accumulated plastic bags and preventing the illegal capture of young turtles and eggs, the, cleaning carried out by prefec-tures in the water areas in which sea turtles live and in their spawning grounds, and, at the same time, in order to elucidate the living condi-tions that become the basis of their preservation, tagging and release, and surveys on feeding habits, hatching of young turtles, and living ar-eas of sea turtles spawning in Japan using satellites have continued to be carried out.
 (iv) An ecological survey was conducted in order to establish meth-ods for Stellar's sea lion management in the vicinity of Japan and the co-existence of Stellar's sea lions and the coastal fisheries.
 (v) In order to establish fisheries that take into consideration the ma-rine environment such as the coexistence with marine organisms that are not fisheries targeted species and the sustainable utilization of re-sources, surveys have been conducted on the productivity of marine liv-ing resources and on marine environmental conservation function, in addition to surveys of the influence on coastal ecosystems by land area such as rice paddies and forests.

4. Promotion of Survey Research

   In order to prepare the basic data for promoting measures for the conservation of the natural environment and to grasp the present condition and the improved condition of the natural environment in Ja-pan from a national viewpoint, the Fifth National Survey on the Natural Environment was conducted and, in FY 1995, the Vegetation Survey, the Coastal Survey and the Environmental Index Species Survey were conducted.
   In order to study living conditions of endangered wildlife, with the cooperation of regional experts and societies, monitoring surveys were implemented that targeted about 80 species listed on the Red Data Book of Japan. Furthermore, a survey was carried out in order to prepare a Plant Red Data Book, and in addition to analyzing its results, work started on revising the Animal Red Data Book that was made public in 1991.
   Furthermore from the sight of biological diversity conservation, in addition to continuing to implement the Biological Diversity Survey, composed of the Ecosystem Diversity Survey, which comprehensively studies the regions formed important ecosystems, and the Species Di-versity Survey, which studies the entire picture of the present state of the distribution of species, work has started anew on the preparation of the Biodiversity Center of Japan that centrally collects and stores the data and specimens accumulated by the surveys related to biological di-versity and environmental conservation.
   In addition, in order to promote education for the conservation of wildlife, besides holding the 49th. "Japan Wild Birds Protection Confer-ence" in Nagasaki Prefecture in connection with Bird Week, the "Meet-ing for Presentations on Wild Bird Protection Activities" was held that announced the practical activities of wildlife protection carried out cen-tered in the Model Schools.

Section 3. Ensuring a Sound and Abundantly Blessed Environment in Regional Development

1. Various Measures in Regional Development

  (1) Ensuring a Pleasant Environment (Amenities)

  A. Regional Development and a Pleasant Environment (Amenities)

   A pleasant environment (amenities), with abundant greenery, clean water, a beautiful urban environment and a historical atmosphere enriches lives. As the nation's demand for a pleasant living environment increases, actively increasing the quality of the nearby environment and ensuring this kind of pleasant environment will b some a more im-portant agenda.
   There are various tangible and intangible measures to develop a pleasant environment in order to increase the pleasantness of an envi-ronment, such as;
 (i) the preparation of measures to make people fond of a pleasant environment such as one with greenery and water,
 (ii) the conservation of good natural features such as nearby shore -line and forested areas,
 (iii) the creation of pleasant urban living spaces such as roads and rows of stores and houses along streets,
 (iv) the ensuring of rules of living and behavior that take into consid-eration an environment in daily life, and
 (v) the preservation of historical and cultural objects that increase the quality of the environment.
   For this reason, the development of a pleasant environment re-quires the comprehensive and systematic development of measures giv-ing direction to the improvement of pleasantness and selecting these measures corresponding to the characteristics of the region while mak-ing clear the role of each sector such as governments, residents and cor-porations.
   From this point of view, the Environment Agency has held a symposium in order to popularize nationally the consciousness of devel-oping a pleasant environment (The 16th Amenities Symposium), given awards to the local public bodies that have outstanding achievements in developing pleasant environments (The 6th Awards for Local Public Bodies Successful in Promoting the Realization of Towns with Ameni-ties) and studied what pleasant environments should be in order to meet the characteristics of a region.
   Furthermore, the Ministry of Construction, in model cities, in ad-dition to giving assistance concerning the expenses necessary to pre-pare facilities for the foundation of the environment such as permeable pavement, establishing the afforestation of public open areas, and decid-ing on urban environment plans, has continued to promote the model project to promote the preparation of the foundation of the urban envi-ronment (eco-city preparation promotion project) that stresses allot-ment of the budget to preparation of the social capital of sewer systems, parks and streets in specially designated districts. Furthermore, con-cerning sewer system facilities, model projects such as the "Aqua Park Model Project" are continuing to be promoted. Furthermore, in order to arrange for the promotion and preparation of the "Residence in Symbio-sis with the Environment," designed so that healthy and pleasant living is possible, harmonizing with the surrounding natural environment, in addition to giving appropriate consideration to the energy aspect, sup-port was given in accordance with the "Residence in Symbiosis with the Environment Urban Model Project," which gives assistance to the preparation of rooftop afforestation facilities and permeable pavement in residential urban areas that have many features of the model.

  B. Ensuring Good Air

   From the viewpoint that it is important to increase the conscious-ness of air conservation by means of people correctly recognizing the state of the familiar environment, projects such as the National Starry Night Continuous Observation and the Sound Environment Model City Project were implemented. Furthermore, city resident participation type projects were started such as the Clean Aroma Promotion Plan that carried out the creation of odor maps, observing also the good fra-grances that a city has, and simple observation survey model projects such as of acid rain by means of city resident participation.
   Furthermore, in order to utilize the priceless opportunity of the ap-proach to the earth on 25 March 1996 of the comet Hyakutake, that was discovered by a Japanese amateur astronomer in January 1996, as an opportunity to familiarize the nation's people with the natural night sky, the Environment Agency called for a comet watch and a "lights-down time." Comet watching meetings took place throughout the country and coop ration was obtained for the "lights-down time" in every region and included the Diet Building and Tokyo Tower. As far as the Envi-ronment Agency knows, 415 groups held cornet watch meetings, and "lights-down" was carried out at 55 cities, wards, towns and villages.

  C. The Ensuring of a Good Aquatic Ecosystem

   Efforts are being made to appropriately promote regulations, concerning the prevention of water pollution by means of the Water Pollution control Law, and water discharge regulations, by means of sewer system projects and the Nature Conservation Law, to satisfacto-rily ensure the ecology in water areas.
   Residents arc concerned about the shoreline environment and in order to promoted the development of a basis on which the relationship between people and water in life can be thought about, and the develop-ment of an environment in which it is possible to spontaneously partici-pate in environmental conservation, shoreline spaces are being revital-ized and created such as the revitalization of a shoreline environment where small animals and plants can live and projects to revitalize and conserve nearby shoreline environments.
   In order to ensure good river ecosystems, projects to "develop a multi-nature typ river" and "develop a river that is easy for fish to go up," etc. were promoted.

  D. Conservation of Landscape

   By the prot lotion of New Special Measures for Making Rural Ar-eas Mor Beautiful, the rural development considering environmental conservation and beautiful landscapes that utilize greenery and water was implemented, and the creation of landscapes and environment in rural areas, which are attractive for urban residents as well, and where rural residents can comfortably live with pride, was promoted.
   In the respetive regions, the "My Town, My River Improve-ment Project" and the "'Traditional Riverside Scenery Restoration Pro-ject," etc., were promoted to create and conserve scenery that forms one unit with the river.

  E. Consideration of the Historical Environment

   Various systems related to the protection of cultural properties (historic sites, beauty spots, natural monuments) that should ensure a pleasant environment in various regions have been utilized. In order to ensure and conserve the rich historical environment, regional develop-ment that promoted the use, the improvement and public ownership of historic sites was promoted. The Improvement of facilities for learning and observation that corresponded to the present state and academic value of the natural monuments was promoted, so that the natural monuments can be directly observed and come into close contact with.
  Much traditional architecture is concentrated in old post arid cas-tle towns. Those which were of particular national and historical impor-tance were designated as traditional architecture preservation districts, and measures were implemented to preserve historic buildings in these areas as well as the surrounding environment, which forms an integral part of the overall history of these places. These included structural re-pair projects, the installation of disaster prevention facilities, arid the subsidizing of projects to transfer land and buildings to public owner-ship. At the end of FY 1995,41 districts in 36 municipalities had been se-lected for assistance.
  Concerning special areas for the preservation of historic land-scapes, land was purchased at a cost of about 2,353 million yen, and the improvement of the facilities which were necessary for the preservation of the historical landscape was implemented at a cost of 92 million yen.
  Furthermore, concerning the preservation of the Asuka region, the improvement and maintenance management of Asuka Historical Park was implemented, and the preservation of the historic landscape was promoted by carrying out regulations of certain acts targeting the entire Asuka village area. Based on the "Program for the Development of the Living Environment and Industrial Infrastructure in Asuka Vil-lage," various projects harmonized with the preservation of the historic landscape climate, which includes special assistance to specific projects carried out by Asuka village, were promoted.

  (2) Promotion of Environmental Conservation Activities by Private Sector

   In order to promote National Trust activities, the symposium continued to be held, and still more popularization and education of Na-tional Trust activities were promoted.
   In order to encourage appropriate use, such as the prevention of accidents, and to foster the idea of the beautification and protection of wildlife in natural parks, about 3,000 natural park leaders were commis-sioned and training seminars were implemented to enhance guidance to natural park users. Furthermore, in order to implement the protection and management, user guidance and interpretive activities in National Parks with the wide participation of the people, training for about 1,700 park volunteers was implemented in the National Park and Wildlife Of-fices and their activities were supported. Efforts were made to develop and enhance the volunteer fund for nature conservation by public trust.
   Furthermore, training of guides who can interpret nature and studying of how the ensuring and fostering of experts who promote the interpretive activities should be were implemented.
   Meanwhile, with respect to ordinary forest users, forest instruc-tors who provide the instruction on outdoors activities, guide the gen-eral public around the forest and deepen understanding on the forests and forestry were fostered and improvement of their knowledge and skill was promoted.
   By implementing the Survey of Widespread Participation of Vol-unteers (Environmental Indicator Species Survey), which would be use-ful for understanding a present state of environment in their regions and contributing to environmental education, natural environmental conservation activities were activated.
   Through the fixed point survey projects of the biological environ-ment survey of the ocean and tidal flats and the project to clean up the environment of water areas, support was given to fixed point surveys of the organisms, water quality and bottom sediment carried out at the ocean and tidal flats by volunteer groups, and to cleaning activities of the beach.

  (3) The Interchange among Urban Areas and Rural Areas

   In rural areas, the promotion of "Green Tourism" that is a new type of vacation which involves extended stays in rural areas with the aim of enjoying the nature, appreciating the local culture and communi-cating with local residents, creating model management plan by local public bodies to implement the "L aw for promotion of infrastructure Development for the Vacation Which Involve Extended Stays in Rural Areas" smoothly and the projects for promotion of green tourism to carry out the training for the management of tourism homes that pro-vide the experience of the agriculture, forestry and fishery were imple-mented. In mountain villages, some projects were implemented to pro-mote extended vacation and to help stimulate villages. For example, "Special Measures for Vacationing in Villages" in 30 areas and "Special Projects on the Management of Villages for Coming into Contact with Forests which improve sites for experiencing and learning and ex-changing bases were implemented.
   Furthermore, in fishing ports and villages blessed with abundant nature and landscape, "Fishing Port Recreational Facility Improvement Projects," which improve open, piled piers, camping sites, etc., to pro-vide urban residents' opportunities for coming into contact with the sea and nature, were implemented at 36 sites throughout Japan. and "Im-provement Works of Fishing Port Environments," which plant and cre-ate facilities with functions of waterfront amenity to maintain and beau-tify the landscapes in fishing port, were implemented in 131 sites throughout Japan. Furthermore, the Fishing Port Use Adjustment Work was taken at 16 sites throughout Japan to adjust fishing ports' usage of fishing Vessels and pleasure boats, and , the work makes for smooth execusion of fishery and related activities, and it can contribute to create marine recreational spaces for promoting the development of exchange between city and fishgig villages nationwide. In addition to these, promoting the development of marine recreation harmonized with the fishery industry , besides having established a consultation committee which consists of the persons concerned in the fishery, pleas-ure boat industry etc., education was carried out of the rules and eti-quette related to the us of the ocean, and by means of carrying out the. management and operation of 'fishgig places, diving guidance and the pleasure boat fishing industry with the fishermen that have a thorough knowledge of the coastal areas themselves as the nucleus, the inter-change with urban n residents, was promoted, conserving the good natu--ral environment.
   Moreover, in addition to actively promoting the maintenance of forests by such means as middle-term profit sharing silviculture (Green owner system, etc.), which involves the people supporting young forests together with the government, the "National fund for forest Greenery and Waters" was promoted. Responding to the demand of the people who want to participate in growing forests, comprehensive research and surveys, education and awareness were implemented related to the use and management of forest resources.

2. Measures in Order to Plan the Sound Use of the Natural Environment

  (1) Promotion of Sound Coming-into-contact Use

   In order to rationalize, such as preventing accidents, and to dif-fuse the ideas of beautification and the protection of wildlife in natural parks, in addition to commissioning about 3,000 natural park guides, training was implemented and the enhancement of user guidance was planned.
   Furthermore, in National Park and Wildlife Offices, support for the training of about 1,700 park volunteers and their activities was car-ried out.
   In addition to implementing the training of staff, such as of the visitor center, in order to foster guides in interpretative activities, study has been carried out of fostering the expert personnel in charge of the interpretation activities.
   Meanwhile, with respect to ordinary forest users, in addition to fostering forest instructors, who carry out forest guidance and the guid-ance of outdoor activities, deepening understanding regarding the for-est and the forest industry, this activity has been actively supported, aiming to improve their knowledge and skill.

  (2) The Protection and Use of Hot Springs

  A. The Protection and Use of Hot Springs

   Japan is a prominent hot spring country in the world and hot spring areas play an extremely important role as areas for people's health and relaxation. As of the end of FY 1994 the number of sources of hot springs that gush out in the nation was 24,679 (of that, 5,062 are sources that spout forth by themselves, 11,633 are electrically powered sources and 7,984 are sources that have not been used yet), and the amount that gushes out amounts to about 3.49 million tons, calculated in terms of one day. The "Hot Spring Law," with the objective of planning the protection of these hot springs and their appropriate us stipulates that when hot springs are excavated or excavated and enlarged and when equipped with electric power, the permission of the prefectural governor must be received, and when hot springs are off red for publici use, or for drinking, the permission of the prefectural governor or th mayor of a city stipulated by law among cities with a public health cen-ter must be received. The number of permissions nationwide in 1994 was 712 for the excavation of a hot spring, 59 for excavation and en-largement, 521 for the provision of electrical power and 2,477 for bath-ing use and drinking use.

  B. Hot Spring Health Resorts

   The hot spring health resorts designated by th Director-General of the Environment Agency based on the "hot Spring Law#(those among the hot springs where an effect can be sufficiently expected from using the hot spring, and those which are widely used as places for the recuperation of health). As of the end of January 1996, 82 places and 12,355.74 ha had been designated.
   Among the hot spring health resorts, in FY 1995 the preparation of nature contact hot spring centers, parks, etc. was carried out at the "national health hot springs," selected as hot spring areas provided with conditions whereby the healthy use of the hot springs can be expected to gain the cooperation of doctors, and at the "contact and serenity hot spring areas," selected as hot spring areas that can be expected to re-fresh the mind and body? provide contact with nature find make use of the natural resources.

Chapter 7. Participation by All Sectors of Society Sharing Fair Allotment of Roles

   As "participation," the Basic Environment Plan states the follow-ing long-term goal; "every sector of society needs to fully understand the relationship that exists between humankind and the environment. It is essential that each sector also voluntarily and actively participate in efforts to utilize th environment wisely and to reduce burden on it. It is further necessary that the cost be fairly spread throughout society. This can be accomplished by employing the Polluter-Pays Principle ("PPP"). Under this principle, contributions are made depending on the amount of burden imposed on, or benefits received from the environ-ment, by each individual or group.
   In order to realize this participation," the Plan stipulates exam-ples of actions towards Environmental conservation by the government as a business operator and a consumer, the promotion of the independ-ent and constructive actions of each actor and the roles of each actor.

Section 1. Promotion of the Independent, Constructive Actions of Each Actor

1. Promotion of Environmental Education and Environmental Learning

  (1) General Environmental Education and Environmental Learning

   In recent years, as for environmental problems, in addition to ris-ing of th relative importance of urban pollution and global environ-mental problems, the needs of people that call for the creation and con-servation of a pleasant environment and for interaction with nature are increasing. In order to cope with this kind of complex and diversifying environmental problem, it is necessary for people, one by one, to deepen their understanding and awareness concerning the relationship of the environment and people and to live and act taking the environment into consideration. From now on, it is important to comprehensively pro-mote cor learning and education related to environmental conserva-tion while planning mutual cooperation in diverse places such as schools, communities, families, workplaces and outdoors, with respect to every age strata from infant to the aged, taking into account the Basic Envi-ronment Plan. In the Environment Agency, from the viewpoint of stimulating an enhancement of the participation consciousness of people towards solutions to environmental problems, in addition to newly im-plementing from June 1995 the "Junior Eco-Club" project that supports activities of elementary and middle school students related to the envi-ronment, and besides carrying out the creation and distribution of mate-rials and producing a movie, a wide range of activities were carried out regarding education and the diffusion of environmental conservation knowledge such as holding of the Environmental Conservation Vision Symposium, the Environmental Education Symposium, with the coop-eration of an NGO, and the Pleasant Environment Symposium.
   Furthermore, by the utilization of the "Local Environment Con-servation Funds" established in prefectures and designated cities in FY 1988, in order to make it so that the constructive and effective develop-ment of environmental education projects can be planned in each region, in addition to implementing a nationwide liaison council in order to pro-mote data interchange and environmental education training that gath-ered the persons in charge of environmental education centered in their local public entities, the offering for use of the environmental education database that gathered information such as of personnel related to envi-ronmental education projects was carried out.
   Also, it is important that the ministries and agencies concerned cooperate and comprehensively promote environmental education, but, in particular, because cooperation and collaboration between the Envi-ronment Agency and the Ministry of Education is necessary, arrange-ments are being made to plan close contacts between the ministry and agency.
   The Ministry of Education has provided subsidies for the ex-penses incurred by municipalities in implementing a comprehensive community education program which are mainly carried out at social education facilities. The program is an local initiative concerning envi-ronmental conservation through social education, which has been inde-pendently developed by a municipaloty in accordance with demand for learning and local issues such as environmental education, and imple-mented through the provision of opportunities for practical activities, and a variety of opportunities to learn about environmental problems.
   Furthermore, in promoting the resource conservation and en-ergy conservation citizens' movement, popularization and education in order to contribute to the formation of a lifestyle harmonized with the global environment and accurately coping with environmental prob-lems by the ministries and agencies concerned was carried out, and in the Economic Planning Agency, also, the promotion of the independent activities of consumers was planned.

  (2) Environmental Education in School Education

   In school education, while planning the mutual cooperation of each school subject, morals and special activities, etc., in order to com-prehensively promote environmental education in the entire school edu-cation, the preparation and distribution of environment education guid-ance materials, the designation of model municipalities for promotion of environmental education (eight municipalities), the implementation of Environmental Education Fairs (Fukuoka Prefecture) and seminars for teachers in charge of environmental education (Tokyo Gakugei Univer-sity, etc.) continued to be carried out. Furthermore, 21 middle schools were newly designated as model schools planning the study and popu-larization of guidance methods in order to heighten the interest and concern of students towards the environment and to participate in the "Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (the GLOBE Program)."
   Moreover, in order to deepen understanding of environmental problems through hands-on activities, such as children and students coming into contact with nature, projects, such as the nature classroom, have continued to be implemented. And, it is significant that the use of textbooks utilizing recycled paper is being promoted, because it be-comes an opportunity to deepen the understanding of children and stu-dents about recycling. The number of textbooks that utilize recycled paper is increasing at present. Of the textbooks used in elementary, middle and high schools in FY 1996, recycled paper has been used, mainly, in the covers,, inside the covers and for the frontispieces, of 48.5% of textbooks. (Table 7-1-1)
   In addition, with the object of enhancing environmental educa-tion, the necessary expenses are subsidized for prefectures, cities, towns and villages that implement "experience exchanges" and nature experiencing activities, and establish promotion conferences, in order to plan the promotion of projects that comprehensively promote nature experiencing activities, such as long-term camps in nature for youth. Furthermore, in order to plan for the sound nurturing of the minds and bodies of students in the elementary and middle schools, assistance is given to local public entities and school corporations for part of the nec-essary expenses of the nature classroom project that carried out as school educational activity through group lodging activity in the natural environment, and in. FY 1995, 693.9 million yen in assistance was given.

Table 7-1-1 School Textbooks for FY 1996 using Recycled Paper (based on the new courses of study)

Table 7-1-1 School Textbooks for FY 1996 using Recycled Paper (based on the new courses of study)

Source: Ministry of Education

  (3) Public Relations Activities

  A. General Public Relations

   In order to highten the people's awareness on the importance of environmental conservation, the lending of public relations movies, pan-els made by the Environment Agency, the distribution of the public re-lations magazine, "Kankyo" (Environment), and public relations activi-ties through the various types of media such as magazines, newspapers, radio and television with the cooperation of the related organizations were carried out. Furthermore, the offering of information to the Press was carried out through announcements by means of press conferences and material distribution.

  B. Execution of Environment Day Meeting

   Based on the Basic Environmental Law promulgated and en-forced in November 1993,"Environment Day" was newly established in May 1994 in order to actively heighten the desire to carry out activities related to the environmental conservation in addition to deepening the understanding and the concern regarding extensive conservation of the environment among businesses and people. Furthermore, also keeping in mind the concept of the Basic Environment Plan decided on by the Cabinet in December 1994, the "Environment Day Meeting" was imple-mented with the hope for greater development in environmental con-servation activities.

  C. Execution of "Environment Month" Events

   In "Environment Month"(June of every year), in addition to im-plementing various events with the theme of environmental conserva-tion, such as the "Eco-Life Fair" environmental exhibit with the theme "Getting Along with the Earth," and giving awards to persons who have done meritorious service for environmental conservation, local public entities were called on to also implement related events, with the hope for greater awareness of people on environmental problems. Fur-thermore, with the cooperation of local public entities, 12,070 plants were planted in 162 places such as the welfare facilities of 42 prefec-tures and five ordinance-designated cities in an effort to popularize the concept of afforestation.

  D. An Appeal to Establish "Action Day for Environmental Beautification"

   In order to build up and popularize nationally the environment beautification movement carried out in various areas, with Environ-ment Agency and the Ministry of Health and Welfare playing central roles, local public entities in various areas were called upon to establish "Action Day for Environmental Beautification."

2. Promotion of Specific Environmental Conservation Actions

  (1) The Promotion of Independent Environmental Conservation Activities by Businesses

   Today's environmental problem in part originating normal busi-ness activities and daily life, and not just serious and huge industry, is great, and in order to solve it, the independent and constructive meas-ures by businesses and people are important. Particularly for busi-nesses, rather than obeying regulations, or problem solving counter-measures that deal with something after a problem has occurred, to ag-gressively carry out measures to lower the burden on the environment from a preventive viewpoint is called for. Furthermore, movements widely making the appeal that bussinesses are aggressively dealing with environmental conservation in their activities are spreading, corre-sponding to the increasing concern of regional residents and consumers regarding environmental conservation.
   In order to promote independent environmental activities by businesses, the Environment Agency announced the "Action Guidelines for Enterprises That Are Friendly to the Environment" in 1992 and, fur-ther, every year since FY 1991, the state of environmental conservation activity in enterprises has been surveyed and th popularization of re-lated information has come to be carried out. in FY 1995. in or& r to fur-ther promote environmental conservation activities by large-scale busi-nesses in all kinds of industry types, as a method to promote the meas-ure of self evaluation of the state of environmental conservation activity and the burden on the environment by businesses, while listening to the opinions of the nation's people, an investigation was carried out concern-ing the "Environmental Activities Evaluation Program" and a pilot pro-ject was carried out to prepare for the actual implementation from FY 1996.
   The Ministry of International Trade and industry, in 1992, re-quested the 87 major business groups under t he jurisdiction of the Min-istry to decide on "Voluntary Plans Concerning the Environment and in November 1995 called for follow-up plans taking into account recent trends.
   Furthermore, the work of international standardization concern-ing environmental management is proceeding by means of the Interna-tional Organization for Standardization (ISO), which is a nongovernmen-tal organization that sets international standards, and in June 1995 the final draft of the international standard was settled concerning an envi-ronmental management system that stipulates how the procedure and system should be in order to promote environmental conservation ac-tivities as one part of the management system. In Japan the Japanese National Committee for ISO/TO 207 was established in June 1993 as the committee to deal with it in the country and has come to aggressively cope with it. Furthermore, study is being don concerning the establish-ment of JIS standards that conform internationally when the environ-mental management system standard comes into ff t and th work of preparing the original JIS draft has been entrusted to the Jaipanese Standards Association. Furthermore, survey resarch on a trial project is being conducted in The Japan Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (JAB) concerning a system to investigate and register an environmental management system by which a third party objectively evaluates whether or not an enterprise's activities conform to the envi-ronmental management system.
   Besides these, various types of financial and tax support meas-ures were carried out concerning environmental conservation such as support measures based on the "Law for Temporary Measures Con-cerning Rationalization of Energy Use and the Promotion of Resource Recycling Business"