Quality of the Environment in Japan 1996

Part II

2. Settling Environmental Pollution Disputes, etc.

  (1) The State of Environmental Pollution Dispute Settlements

   The "Law Concerning the Settlement of Pollution Disputes" grants authority in environmental pollution disputes to the Environmental Dis-pute Coordination Commission, an adjunct to the Prime Minister's Of fice, and to prefectural environmental pollution boards at the prefec-tural level (Fig. 8-8-2).
   There are four procedures for settlement of environmental pollu-tion disputes; mediation, intercession, arbitration and adjudication, Ad-judication can be further divided into two classifications, liability adjudi-cation for determining whether or not someone has liability for compen-sation of damages related to environmental pollution, and cause adjudi-cation for determining whether or not there is a causal relationship be-tween the occurrence of damages and an act of pollution.
   The Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission alone con-ducts adjudication, and also engages in mediation, intercession and arbi-tration for serious incidents (such as Minamata disease, Itai-itai disease and other incidents), and for incidents that require settlements over wide areas (such as aircraft noise or Shinkansen noise), while the prefec-tural environmental pollution committees engage in mediation, interces-sion and arbitration for all other disputes.

  A. Cases Pending at the Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission

   Two new environmental pollution disputes were received by the Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission in 1995, which when added to the 14 cases carried over from the previous year made a total of 16 cases (nine intercession cases and seven liability adjudication cases) pending in 1995. The content of the pending cases were as follows.

 (A) Arbitration Cases

 (i) Cases in which arbitration was requested on water pollution damage, etc., due to liquid detergents: two cases
 (ii) Cases in which arbitration was requested on water pollution damage, etc., due to Teshima industrial wastes : two cases
 (iii) Cases in which arbitration was requested on noise pollution dam-age, etc., due to high-pressure gas collection and delivery point one case
 (iv) Cases in which arbitration was requested on noise pollution and vibration damage, etc., due to metal processing plant two cases
 (v) Cases in which arbitration was requested on soil pollution dam-age, etc., due to electrical, power line construction one case
 (vi) Cases in which arbitration was requested on water pollution damage, etc., due to the Nakaumi Honsho Koku Kanriku Project one case

Fig. 8-8-2 Pollution Dispute Settlement System

Fig. 8-8-2 Pollution Dispute Settlement System

 (B) Liability Adjudication Cases

   Petition for liability adjudication into noise pollution damage? etc., by the Odakyu Railway Line : seven cases
   Of these, one case was settled during 1995 (the application for ar-bitration in noise pollution damage? etc., due to high-pressure gas collec-tion and delivery), and the remaining 14 cases were carried over into 1996.

  B. Cases Pending at the Prefectural Environmental Pollution Boards

   There were 24 environmental pollution disputes received by the prefectural environmental pollution boards in 1995, which when added to the 63 cases carried over from the previous year made a total of 87 cases (all arbitration cases) pending in 1995.
   There were 42 cases settled during 1995.
   A specific example of a successful arbitration is as follows.
   Case: An arbitration request was received on 2 September 1994 from people residing next door to a metal processing plant (defendant) in Tokyo Metropolis, in which the plaintiffs claimed that noise and vi-brations arising from the transport and cutting of steel girders and other steel materials made it impossible for the plaintiffs to attain the living environment expected of a residential district, and that they were subjected to sensory and mental damage including emotional and physi-cal fatigue, insecurity and rising blood pressure. They demanded that the defendant demonstrate awareness of the plant's location within a residential district and that the defendant swiftly take action to reduce the noise and bring it to within the regulated values (for nighttime noise).
   The Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Pollution Dispute Com-mittee conducted an on-site investigation, and as a result of diligent pushing forward of procedures, including the convening of four arbitra-tion days, successfully achieved an arbitration on 10 March 1995.
   The major content of the terms of arbitration were as follows.
 (i) Both parties confirm that the defendant conducted noise-damping construction work on the walls running along the west and south side of the plant, and that the plant's central doors were fitted with double-layer shutters.
 (ii) The defendant undertakes to completely close the plant's doors while engaging in noise-generating operations.
 (iii) Noise-generating operations shall not be conducted at the plant on holidays and during night hours (after 8 p.m.).
 (iv) Care shall be taken to limit noise emanating from the plant, and employees will be warned.

  (2) Disposition of Grievances about Environmental Pollution

  A. System for Disposition of Grievances about Environmental Pollution

   Grievances concerning environmental pollution are problems that are intimately related to local residents' lives, and an appropriate settlement is extremely important, both for preserving the living envi-ronment of residents, and for forestalling future environmental pollution disputes.
   Working from this viewpoint, local public entities are required under the "Law Concerning the Settlement of Environmental Pollution Disputes" to cooperate with the relevant administrative organs to strive toward an appropriate settlement of grievances concerning pollu-tion. For this purpose, the prefectural and city, town and village govern-ments are allowed to employ a consultant to hear environmental pollu-tion grievances.
   In addition, the Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission provides guidance and information for appropriate settlement of envi-ronmental pollution grievances that are conducted by local public enti-ties.

  B. Current State of Grievances about Environmental Pollution

   The number of grievances newly received during FY 1994 throughout Japan by consultants for environmental pollution griev-ances to local public entities totaled 66,556 grievances.
   Grievances regarding the so-called seven classic types of pollu-tion (air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise pollution, vibra-tions, ground subsidence and offensive odors) had been on a declining trend since FY 1972. In FY 1994, however, there were 45,642 grievances, a rise of 2,467 grievances, or 5.7%, over the previous fiscal year (Fig. 8-8-3).

Fig. 8-8-3 Trend in Number of Grievances

Fig. 8-8-3 Trend in Number of Grievances

Note: Data is according to the "Report of Survey on Number of Grievances about Environmental Pollution in FY1994" by the Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission. The FY1994 survey changed the survey target for pollution problems other than the seven typical types of pollution.

  C. State of Environmental Pollution Complaint Settlements

   In FY 1994, less than one month was required for the entire pro-cedure, from original application to settlement, for 70.8%, or about seven out of ten, environmental pollution grievances (Chart 8-8-4).

Fig. 8-8-4 Time Required for Settlement of Environmental Pollution Grievances

Fig. 8-8-4 Time Required for Settlement of Environmental Pollution Grievances

Note: Data is according to the "Report of Survey on Environmental Pollution Grievances in FYl 994," Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission.

  (3) Enforcement of Environmental Violations

  A. State of Arrests for Environmental Violations

   The police are putting emphasis on enforcement of such mali-cious violations as illegal disposal of industrial wastes or contamination of water. There were a total of 2,033 arrest cases involving environ-mental violations in 1995. and the arrest trend for environmental viola-tions during the most recent five-year period, according to type of ordi-nance, are shown in Table 8-8-2.

Table 8-8-2 Trend in Arrests for Environmental Pollution Offenses (1991-1995)

Table 8-8-2 Trend in Arrests for Environmental Pollution Offenses (1991-1995)

Source: National Police Agency

   In addition, the number of environmental pollution grievances (excluding grievances related to traffic pollution) received by the police during 1995 totaled 76,740 grievances, an increase of 1,876 grievances over 1994.

  B. Enforcement of Water Pollution Violations

   The police made use of the Water Pollution Control Law to make 13 arrests for water pollution violations during 1995. Of these, seven cases involved industrial plants, etc., violating wastewater standards by emitting polluted water in violation of standards established in the Water Pollution Control Law.

  C. Enforcement of Waste Disposal Violations

Table 8-8-3 shows the type of charges in the 1,965 arrests made by the police during 1995 for violations of the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law, with illegal dumping violations accounting for 75% of the total.

Table 8-8-3 Arrests by Type of Violation Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law (1995)

Table 8-8-3 Arrests by Type of Violation Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law (1995)

Source : National Police Agency

   In addition, industrial waste violations totaled 698 cases, for 35% of the total, with the total volume of illegally disposed industrial wastes estimated to have reached 1.33 million tons. Fig. 8-8-5 shows this waste by type and by location, with the most common form of violation con-tinuing to be industrial wastes generated in urban areas that are trans-ported across prefectural lines and disposed of or dumped in mountain forests without a permit.

Fig. 8-8-5 Illegal Disposal of Industrial Wastes by Type of Waste and Location

Fig. 8-8-5 Illegal Disposal of Industrial Wastes by Type of Waste and Location

Source : National Police Agency

  D. The State of Public Prosecutors' Offices' Reception and Settling of Pollution-related Ordinance Violation Cases

   Table 8-8-4 shows the most recent five-year trend in the number of cases received and settled by the public prosecutor's offices in the course of handling pollution-related ordinance violation cases. The num-ber of people received in the regular fashion was 2,852 during 1995, a re-duction of 446 people from the previous year,

Table 8-8-4 Trend in Number of Persons Reported and Disposed for Viola-tions of Laws Related to Environmental Pollution

Table 8-8-4 Trend in Number of Persons Reported and Disposed for Viola-tions of Laws Related to Environmental Pollution

Notes: 1. Figures in parentheses are index number with 1991 set to 100.
    2. {The indictment ratio is calculated by number of persons indicted / (number of persons indicted + number of persons not indicated) }ラ 100.
Source : Ministry of Justice

   Table 8-8-5 shows the number of cases received regularly during 1995 for pollution-related ordinance violations, by type of crime. The most common type of violation was characterized by the 2,144 cases, or 75.2% of the total, received for violation of the "Waste Disposal and Pub-lic Cleansing Law," followed by violations of the "Law Relating to the Prevention of Marine Pollution and Maritime Disaster" (594 people), and of the "Water Pollution Control Law" (59 people). The reasons for the sharp drop from the previous year in the number of cases received regularly could be found in the violations of the "Law Relating to the Prevention of Marine Pollution and Maritime Disaster (a decline of 237 people), of the "Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law" (a drop of 179 people).

Table 8-8-5 Number of Persons Reported for Violations of Laws Related to Environmental Pollution

Table 8-8-5 Number of Persons Reported for Violations of Laws Related to Environmental Pollution

Note : The mark A indicates a decrease.
Source : Ministry of Justice

 Table 8-8-6 shows the number of cases received during 1995 for pollution-related ordinance violation cases, by type of crime, with 1,756 people actually being indicted and 1,050 people not being indicted, for an indictment rate of 62.6%. Of those indicted, trials were actually sought for 81 people, seven people fewer than the previous year, while sum-mary decisions were sought in 1,675 cases. While this represented a de-cline of 231 people from the previous year, it still accounted for 95.4% of all people indicted.

Section 9. Promotion of Rational and Reasonable Land Use

1. Rationalization of Land Use

   The National Land Use Plan, which conforms to the basic con-cept of national land use described in the National Land Use Planning Act (FY 1974 Law No.92), places priority on the common welfare and works to protect the natural environment. It is the most basic plan for national land use, prepared for the purpose of assuring stable and bal-anced utilization of the national land over the long term; and consists of a national plan, prefectural plans, and city, town and village plans.
   For the national plan, the Third National Land Use Plan (National Plan) was approved by the Cabinet (February 1996) in response to a re-port by the Land Policy Council.
   With subsiding pressure for conversion of land use on the na-tional land as a whole being taken as an opportunity for more active promotion of quality improvements in national land use, the new na-tional plan was drawn up with 1992 as the standard year and 2005 as the target year, while taking as foundations for working out the plan's content the perspectives of (i) safe and secure national land use, (ii) sus-tainable national land use in coexistence with nature, and (iii) beautiful and relaxed national land use, while considering the targets set for the scale of each of the agricultural land, forest, road, residence and other usage classifications, as well as the changing situations in these usage classification (Table 8-9-1).
   In this latest plan, one of the new classifications by district pat-tern is the "Nature Maintenance District," or districts that require ap-propriate maintenance for the purpose of conservation of the natural en-vironment, while other new classifications of land use, which were cre-ated in consideration of the changing conditions of recent years in na-tional land use, include "Land for Recreation," such as golf courses or ski resorts, and "Unused Land," such as unused factory sites or fallow agri-cultural land.

Table 8-8-6 Number of Persons Disposed for Violations of Laws Related to Environmental Pollution

Table 8-8-6 Number of Persons Disposed for Violations of Laws Related to Environmental Pollution

Note : The indictment ratio is calculated by {number of persons indicted/ (number of persons indicted + number of persons not indicted)} X 100.
Source : Ministry of Justice

Table 8-9-1 National Land Use Goals by Scale of Land Classification

Table 8-9-1 National Land Use Goals by Scale of Land Classification

Notes:1. Classifications of land category for 1992 are based on "Land Survey for Public Facilities," National Land Agency.
    2. Roads include general roads and farm and forest roads.
    3. Urban areas refer to densely inhabited districts defined in the Census of Japan. The 1992 urban area is the area of densely inhabited districts according to the 1990 Census of Japan.

   It is now expected that prefectural plans and the city, town and village plans will be newly drawn up or revised in response to this Third National Plan. For the city, town and village plans, in particular, although 1,809 cities, towns and villages had already drawn up plans as of the end of March 1995, many of these plans were drawn up based on strictly local resident intentions. As a result, revision of this latest Na-tional Plan is being used as an opportunity to provide guidance and as-sistance for drawing up and revising local plans, and to encourage more comprehensive plan content and management activities.
   The Land Use Master Plan is based on the National Land Use Plan. Governors of the five designated areas prepare plans on land use and adjustments to be made in their areas. The plan is a comprehensive guideline for adjustments in land administration, providing directly for regulation of land transaction and indirectly for the regulation of land development for projects through such individual laws as the City Plan-ning Act and the Natural Parks Law. The plan is intended to promote more appropriate and rational land use.
   The present land areas designated in the five types of areas i. n-der the Land Use Master Plan are, as of the end of March 1995, urban areas ca. 9,800,000ha, agricultural areas ca. 17,330,000ha, forest areas ca. 25,520,000ha, natural park areas ca. 5,350,000ha, nature conservation ar-eas ca. 100,000ha, and other areas (areas excluded in all those above) ca. 240,000ha.

2. Rationalization of Industrial Sites

   To provide a radical solution to industrial pollution, appropriate planning for the location of factories is essential. In major cities, the Law concerning Restriction on Factories in Existing Urbanized Areas of th Metropolitan Region has strictly controlled new factory construction.
   Based on the Industrial Promotion Law, the Industrial Relocation Promotion Fund and other funding schemes are used to promote reloca-tion of plants and factories from areas where relocation is being pro-moted to other areas, and to promote new and additional construction at the relocation sites. Projects to develop core and industrial parks under-taken by the Regional Promotion and Development Corporation and loans provided by the Japan Development Bank and other institutions were also used to promote industrial relocation.
   In implementing these industrial relocation measures, guidance was provided to ensure that environmental conservation was consid-ered in the factory relocation projects and that the lands vacated after relocation were used to improve the urban environment.
   In addition to the above, the Japan Environment Corporation builds and transfers structures for use by multiple industrial tenants in compliance with requests from businesses, to relocate and integrate small factories operating in residential areas. The Small Business Pro-motion Corporation undertakes construction of industrial parks and provides loans for funding shared factory facilities in cooperation with the prefectural governments. These are intended to meet the needs of the small and medium-sized factories that are currently spread out in the metropolitan areas but wish to move to suburbs in groups.
   Furthermore, to promote coordination of individual factory sites with their surroundings, industrial environment management measures were promoted in accordance with the Standards concerning Factory Location and other standards based on the Factory Location Law. Sub-sidies were provided through the Japan Development Bank and the Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses Corporation to provide funding for environmental maintenance projects. The Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses Corporation and other institutions also provide loans for fac-tory relocations to prevent pollution.

Chapter 9. Promoting International Efforts

   A long-term goal in the field of international efforts mentioned in the Basic Environment Plan is "active promotion of 'international ef-forts' not only by the national government, but through the utilization of the experience and technology resulting from efforts to overcome se-vere environmental problems, based on cooperation with all other coun-tries, as deemed appropriate in order to sustain a favorable global envi-ronment."
   In order to promote these "international efforts," a variety of measures have been implemented in Japan. These include the promo-tion of international cooperation concerning conservation of the global environment; the securing of international collaboration regarding re-search, monitoring, and observation, etc.; the promotion of activities by local governments and the private sector; environmental considera-tions in international assistance; and the efforts to implement interna-tional treaties regarding conservation of the global environment.

Section 1. The Promotion of International Cooperation toward the Conservation of the Global Environment

   In recent years global environmental problems have become more pronounced, amid the swelling of economic standards of devel-oped countries to ever higher levels while developing countries grapple with poverty, rapid population increase and over-concentration of popu-lations in cities, and the growth of interdependency between countries. The holding of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED/Earth Summit) in June 1992 is evidence that concrete efforts aimed at preserving the global environment are being made interna-tionally.
   At the Earth Summit, worldwide agreements on sustainable de-velopment were formed, such as the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21. A variety of measures were under-taken in FY 1995 based on these agreements. In April 1.995, the third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), estab-lished as a subsidiary body within the UN Economic and Social Council to follow up on the Earth Summit, was held. In accordance with the Multi-year Thematic Programme passed at the first meeting in 1993, discussions took place regarding forestry issues and the changing con-sumption patterns. in particular, it was decided that an inter-governmental panel be established to consider a wide range of issues concerning forest.
   In Japan, the Ad Hoc Group on Global Environmental Problems, chaired by Jiro Kondo, Chair of the Central Environment Council, con-sisting of academics and experienced businessmen, was held under the sponsorship of the Director-General of the Environment Agency. The Ad Hoc Group has produced five reports to date, and the second report released in April 1982, entitled “Internatinjal Efforts in Solving Global Environmental Problems”, led to the establishment of the World Com-mittee on Environment and Development(WCED). In March 1992, with the objective of contributing to the formulation of the Earth Charter as well as to development of new environmental policies, the Ad Hoc Group announced its fifth report, “Basic Stance on the EarthCharter".
   Also, to promote the effetive and comprehensive implementa-tion of policies conderning global environmental issues, the Cabinet orally approved the opening of th Council of Ministers for Global Envi-ronmental Conservation, chaired by the Prime Minister and consisting of Ministers from 19 ministries and agencies. At the first meting held in June, the Council agreed on a statement entitled “Policies for Global Environmental conservation”, and confirmed the following:
 (i) Active participation in the formulation of international frame-works;
 (ii) Promoting observation, surveillance, studies, and research
 (iii) Promotion of development and disseminating of technology;
 (iv)Expanding applicable environmental assistance to developing countries
 (v) Reinforcing consideration of environmental issues on implemen-tation of official development asistance ; and
 (vi) Promoting increased awareness and disseminating information on environmental issues to industries and individual citizens to make socio-econmic activity less burdensome on the environ-ment.
   In July 1989, the post of the Minister in Charg of Global Environ-ment Problem, was created, and the succcessive Directors-General of the Environment Agency have been appointed to the post.
   Furthermore, in the second meeting of the Council of Ministers for Global Environmental Conservation held in October 1989, as agree-ment was concluded on the Comprehensive Promotion of Surveys, Ob-servations and Inspections, and the Development of Technology for Global Environmental Conservation, and based on this agreement, the decision to draw up a Comprehensive Plan to Promote Surveys on Global Environment Conservation annually was made. In Octorber 1990, the fourth meeting of the Council was held and the Action Plan to Ar-rest Global Warming was approved, which sets the goal for stabilizing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions and so on.
   In May 1992, the sixth meeting of the Council was held, and Ja-pan's Initiative for the Earth Summit was approved.
   In December 1993, another three ministers joined th Council, and National Action Plan for Agenda 21 was approved.
   In September 1994, the“Japan Action Report on Climate Change" was adopted.
   In October 1995, the "National Strategy on Biological Diversity" was adopted.
   From the viewpoint of effectively promoting coordinated policies concerning global environmental conservation within the government , budgets allocated for global environmental conservation and related projects in each ministry and agency have been combined for consid-eration. The total for FY1995 was 566 billion yen. The total for FY 1996 is 568.8 billion yen, an increase of 2.6% from the previous year. (Table 9-1 -1)

1. International Cooperation toward Global Environmental Protection

  (1) Efforts by International Organizations, etc.

  A. Follow-up on the Earth Summit

 (A) International Efforts

a. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)

   Agenda 21 passed at the 1992 Earth Summit called for “a high-level Commission on Sustainable Development to be established in accordance with Article 68 of the Charter of the United Nations." In re -sponse, the 47 th UN General Assembly held the same year passed th resolution on the commission's establishment, and the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was established in February 1.993 in-der the UN Economic and Social Council.
   The CSD consists of 53 UN member states, including Japan, and its main objectives include (i) monitoring the state of UN activities con-cerning Agenda 21 and the integration of environment and develop-ment, (ii) examining reports on the activities undertaken by member countries to implement Agenda 21, (iii) reviewing and monitoring pro-gress concerning the implementation of commitments on technology transfer and financial issues incorporated in Agenda 21, (iv) promotion of the principles stated in the Rio Declaration and the Declaration of Forest Principles, and (v) submission of appropriate recommendations concerning implementation of Agenda 21 to the UN General Assembly via the UN Economic and Social Council.

Table 9-1-1 Budgets Related to Global Environmental Conservation in FY 1995 and FY 1996
1. The overall budgets related to global environmental conservation for the relevant ministries and agencies are as follows in FY 1995 and FY 1996.
FY 1996 budget 568.8 billion yen
FY 1995 budget 566.0 billion yen
(Increase of 0.5% over previous fiscal year)
2. Breakdown by activities

2. Breakdown by activities

(Table 9-1-1 contd.)

(Table 9-1-1 contd.)

Notes :1. To bring the budget calculations more into conformity with environmental conservation budget beginning with the FY 1995 budget. FY 1995 budget re-corded above differ from previous years in the range of items classified as re-lated to global environmental conservation. The FY 1995 budget recalculated according to the previous classification was 578.0 billion yen.
    2. The category of global environmental conservation-oriented socioeconomic activities, raising public awareness, in Group 1, includes those activities, pro-jects, etc., that result in social and economic activities that promote resouce-and energy saving with methods that result in the Least burden on the global environment.
    3. In this table, expenses for promoting and coordination of science and technol-ogy within the Science and Technology Agency budget, grant aid of the Minis-try of Foreign Affairs, the technology cooperation conducted by the Japan In-ternational Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the loan aid conducted by th Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) are not included, because it is impossible to distinguish what part of those budgets is concerned with global environmental conservation.
    4. The general expenses related to global environmental conservation, in Group 3, are composed of such things as contributions to international institutions, sur-veys and research, and policy expenses for environmental QUA.
    5. Since numbers are rounded off, the total figures may not necessarily match.
Source: Environment Agency

   The first conference was held in June 1993, where agreement was reached on the Multi-year Thematic Programme of Work for com-prehensive evaluation of the state of implementation of Agenda 21, toward the UN General Assembly Special Session on environment and development planned for 1997 (Table 9-1-2).

Table 9-1-2 The Multi-year Thematic Programme of Work Con-cerning the State of Implementation for Agenda 21 for Commission on Sustainable Development

Table 9-1-2 The Multi-year Thematic Programme of Work Con-cerning the State of Implementation for Agenda 21 for Commission on Sustainable Development

Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate numbers of sub-sections in Agenda 21
Source Environment Agency

   The third conference was held in April 1995, attended by 53 member states, of which about 50 countries were represented at the ministerial level, as well as a large number of non-member states. At this conference, in line with the Multi-year Thematic Programme, re-views were conducted into such cross-sectoral issues as trade an d envi-ronment, funding, technology transfer, and sustainable consumption patterns, as well as into such sectoral issues as land, forests, desertifica-tion, agriculture, and biological diversity. It adopted 20 decisions includ-ing a proposal on future action and the Chair's summary of the high-level meeting.

b. The High-Level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development

   Establishment of the High-Level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development (HLAB) was recommended in Chapter 38 (International Institutional Arrangements) of Agenda 21 adopted at the Earth Summit of 1992. HLAB consists of eminent persons knowledgeable about envi-ronment and development, including relevant sciences, in their personal capacity. HLAB is expected to play an important role in the follow-up to the Earth Summit, alongside intergovernmental organizations such as CSD.
   In response to this recommendation, UN Secretary-General Boutros-Boutros Ghali announced the establishment of HLAB in July 1993, and the first meeting was held in September. The fourth m ting was held in May 1995.

 (B) Efforts in the Asia-Pacific Region

a. Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (Eco Asia '95)

   The Environment Agency held Eco Asia '95 on 21 - 22 June 1995 in Shizuoka and Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Eco Asia was initiated to provide an opportunity for high-ranking officials from government, in-cluding ministers in charge of environmental issues, international or-ganizations, and NGOs from a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, to exchange views on environmental issues in the region. It his been held every year in succession since 1991 except 1992. At the m. ing, the state of progress of the "Long-Term Perspective Project" agreed upon at Eco Asia '93 and a new project proposal on an Environ-mental Information Network in Asia and the Pacific (Leo Asia Net) was supported.

b. Northeast Asian Conference on Environmental Cooperation

   The Northeast Asian Conference on Environmental Cooperation has been held each year since 1992 to facilitate information exchanges and policy dialogues among environmental administrators concerning environmental poroblems in the Northeast Asia region, and to promote regional cooperation as emphasized in Agenda 21. Items discussed at the fourth conference held in Pusan in September 1995 were the role of major groups such as local authorities and NGOs which support the im-plementation of Agenda 21, transboundary movement of pollutants, the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, toxic chemicals, and ur-ban envioronmental problems.

 (C) Domestic Efforts

a. Implementation of the Agenda 21 Action Plan

   The preparation of National Action Plans for Agenda 21 is men-tioned in the Agenda 21. The 1992 G7 Munich Summit and the 1993 To-kyo Summit calld for these action plans by G7 countries to be settled and announced by the end of 1993.
   The Japanese Government determined its Agenda 21 Action Plan at the December 1993 meeting of the Council of Ministers for Grobal Environmental Conservation and submitted it to the CSD secre-tariat.
   Japan's Agenda 21 Action Plan contains specific measures the country intends to implement in each Agenda 21 program area. Under this Action Plan,the following items will be given priority in implemen-tation.
 (i) Making efforts to construct a society which will allow sustain-able development with reduced load on the global environment, and en-
 public awareness in order to change people's lifestyles to one which is more environment-friendly.
 (ii) Actively participating in, and contributing to, the creation of an effetive international framework with regard to the conservation of the grobal environment.
 (iii) Actively taking part in the international negotiations for setting up effective financial mechanisms, particularly the restructuring of Global Environmental Facility (GEF), in order to deal with the conserva-tion of the global environment
 (iv) Making efforts to promote environment-related technological de-velopment, and contributing to the capacity building of developing countries to address environmental problems through providing appro-priate and well-planned official development assistance, including the promotion of technology transfer.
 (v) Ensuring international cooperation for observation and surveil-lance, and surveys and research which relate to the conservation of the global environment, as well as actually carrying out these activities.
 (vi) Enhancing the level of effective cooperation among major con-stituents of society, including the central government, local authorities. businesses and NGOs.

b. Local Agenda 21

   Local governments are expected to play a major role in the im-plementation of Agenda 21 In order to effectively promote efforts by these local governments, there is a need to establish "Local Agenda 21." The Environment Agency set up a Working Group for Development of Local Agnda 21 in ord r to draw up guidelines for Local Agenda 21. The Group set and released the guidelines, Approach to Formulation of Local Agenda 21, on 20 Jun 1994. in addition, in June 1995, the Group announced its "Guidelines for Development of Local Agenda 21" which formulates prioritizeded items.

c. Measures for Solving Environmental and Trade Problems

   Liberalization of trade is also expected to have positive effects on the environment by promoting effective utilization of natural resources, and will contribute to sustainable development. on the other hand, there is a growing concern that liberalization will energize the turnover of products and capital, resulting in increased consumption of natural resources and increased emissions of pollutants and waste materials, which will actually cause more environmental problems and exacerbate existing ones (the off ‾ct of trade on the environment). However, amid the heightening of the awareness of environmental problems, domestic measures have been taken which influence trade measures and trading practices to adapt to environmental protection. These measures are also prompting widespread concerns over their possibility as obstacles to free trade. There are also fears that certain steps which are announced
   measures for "environmental protection" are actually measures to protect trade (the effect of so-called environmental measures on trade).
   Amid t lies ‾various concerns, an international consensus was formed through discussions t the OECD and other bodies in order to follow a basic course toward achieving sustainable development that would aim for environmental polity and trade policy to be mutually sup-portive. However, due to the opposing interests of industrialized and de-veloping countries and the differences in viewpoints between those fa-voring trade and those favoring the environment, the particular meth-ods of achieving mutual support for each side remain at issue.
   In 1994, the Special Committee on Environment and Trade was established ‾s a subsidiary body to the Ad Hoc Group on Global Envi-ronmental Problems, which is under the support of the Director-General of the Environment Agency, in April 1995, the committee submitted a report which indicated its specific opinions on the relationship between environmental policy and a multilateral trade system (based on the WTO agreement and trade rules) and called on the Japanese Govern-ment to further promote cooperation regarding the environment while giving priority to the Asia-Pacific region, and to actively work toward achieving mutual support between trade and the environment. At pre-sent, the Environment Agency is furthering demonstrative research on trade and the environment in the Asia-Pacific region based on this re-port and is actively participating in international discussions through the World Trade Oraganization (WTO), the OECD, and other interna-tional bodies.

  B. Activities of the United Nations

   As the outcome of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in 1972 in Stockholm, the United Nations Environ-ment Programme (UNEP) was established with the purpose of unitarily coordinating rid promoting the various environment related activities carried out by existing agencies within the UN system.
   The UNEP originally operated programs in 12 areas including observation of the earth's environment, environmental legislation, and land ecosystems, but in May 1995, at the 18th Governing Council session, a radical restructuring plan was executed with the adoption of an inter-disciplinary structure comprised of five areas - sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, sustainable production and con-sumption, a better environment for health and welfare, globalization and the environment, and assistance measures at the global and local levels.
   Japan has been supporting the UNEP as a member of the Gov-erning Council as well as a major donor. Japan contributed $9 million in 1995 to the Environment Fund (second only to the United States in size of contribution).
   The UNEP International Environmental Technology Center (IETC), a subsidiary body to the UNEP, was established with offices in both Osaka City and in Shiga Prefecture, as the first UN environmental facility in Japan. This center was set up in order to facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing nations. lit is com-prised of the Shiga office, which handles technological areas concerning environmental management of freshwater lakes and reservoir basins, and the Osaka office, which is in charge of technological areas concern-ing the environmental management of urban regions. Work conducted by these offices includes database preparation, provision of information, training and consulting concerning environmental conservation tech-nologies.
   The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) has held a Ministerial Conference of Environment and Devel-opment once every five years from 1985. At the third such conference in November 1995, a "Ministerial Declaration on Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific" and "Re-gional Action Programme for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development, 1996-2000" were adopted.
   In November 1995 in Beijing the UN hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women: Equality, Development and Peace. This confer-ence was formed to undertake a review and appraisal of the implemen-tation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the Year 2000, adopted at the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women in Nairobi in 1985, and to draw up a Platform for Action which looks forward to the 21st century. Both a Beijing Declaration and a Plat-form for Action were adopted at the Conference. In chapter 4 of the Platform for Action, "Women and the Environment," three strategic ob-jectives were described: i) "Involve women actively in environmental decision-making at all levels;" ii) "Integrate gender concerns and per-spectives in policies and programs for sustainable development;" and iii) "Strengthen or establish mechanisms at the national, regional and in-ternational levels to assess the impact of development and environ-mental policies on women.
   The Tokyo-based United Nations University (UNU) has been conducting work on environmental problems, including the establish-ment of an action plan, "United Nations University Agenda 21," in 1993 involving research and human resources in scientific fields concerned with global environmental problems.

  C. Activities of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (JEA)

   The OECD is an organization for international economic coopera-tion between leading industrialized countries which consisted of 26 member countries as of 31 March 1996. Its supreme decision-making in-strument is the OECD Council, which holds a ministerial level meeting once each year.
   In July 1970, the OECD established its Environment Committee, in light of the increased worldwide interest in environmental problems at the end of the 1960's. Its name was changed to the Environment Pol-icy Committee in March 1992 as a part of the organization's restructur-ing.
   The OECD Environment Policy Committee examines the major problems in the planning and formulation of environmental policies by each member country government. The results of these deliberations are adopted as needed as decisions or recommendations by the OECD Council. In addition, the results of studies and research are announced publicly in reports and widely utilized. One fruit of the committee's de-liberations is the establishment and-promulgation of the Polluter-Pays Principle (PPP).
   In recent years, other OECD committees have addressed the en-vironmental concerns of each committee in ways that cross disciplines. Collaboration between the Environment Policy Committee and other committees has increased. For example, the Environment Policy Com-mittee and the Trade Committee established a joint session of experts which put together and submitted a report of the results of their joint analysis to the Ministerial Council Meeting in June 1995. In addition, it also worked with the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on the subject of developmental assistance and environment, and with the Committee on Fiscal Affairs on the subject of environment and taxation. The Environment Policy Committee holds a ministerial-level meeting about once every five years.
   The fifth ministerial-level meeting of the Environment Policy Committee in February 1996 was held with the overall theme of "Envi-ronment Policy in an Era of Globalization." At this meeting, a review of past environmental policies in the various OECD member nations was conducted and new strategies and policy methods necessary for envi-ronmental conservation directed toward the 21st century were clarified. In addition, the following has been agreed at the OECD ; (i) to advance investigation and discussion regarding the relationship between globali-zation and environmental policy, to analyze the relationships between environmental policy and structural problems such as competition, em-ployment, investment, trade and technology, and report on these find-ings to the 1997 OECD Ministerial Council; (ii) based on proposals made at the May 1995 G7 Environment Ministers' Meeting, to further analyze th effects on the environment of subsidies and tax dis-incentives in a viriety of economic areas, and report the findings to the OECD Council within two years; and (iii) to call for the initiation of research on the possibility of green tax reforms, in order to submit a report including recommendations to the OECD Council by the spring of 1997.
   In order to contribute to the progress of negotiations on a proto-col based on the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the OECD and IEA are also jointly advancing a common action project involving the analysis and evaluation of policies and measures to control "greenhouse-effect-gas" emissions and reinforce "sinks" which utilize funds effectively and can be jointly implemented in the future among advanced countries. In addition, the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, held from March to April 1995, saw the agreement to the creation of a task force to promote the realization of the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) proposed by 24 OECD and IEA member countries. Japan was chosen as one of the task force leaders regarding the development of innovative technologies for setting standards for carbon dioxide levels, and continues to lead the way in the promotion of international cooperation in this area.

  D.Efforts by the World Trade Organization (WTO)

   The Committee on Trade and Environment set up in the WTO, which was established in January 1995, conducts deliberations in four main areas; (i) the relationship between environmental trade meas-ures and a multilateral trading system (as interpreted from the WTO Agreement); (ii) The transparency of environmental policy ; (iii) the re-lationship between environmental measures such as taxes, duties and "ecolabels," and a multilateral trading system; and (iv) the relationship between the WTO's dispute settlement mechanisms and the dispute setting mechanisms of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
   The WTO Committee on Trade and Environment will announce its report on the relationship between trade measures and environ-mental measures and on whether there is need to revise the WTO Agreement at the first WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled to be held in Singapore in December 1996. Japan is actively participating in the committee's discussions, in order to help make trade policy and en-vironmental policy mutually supportive.

  E. Work Environmental Issues of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

   APEC is a cooperative system concerning economic issues in the Asia-Pacific area. Its Seventh Ministerial Meeting and Informal Eco-nomic Leaders' Meeting were held in November 1995 in Osaka. The meetings adopted the Economic Leaders' Declaration for Action, the Osaka Action Agenda, and th. Joint Statement.
   The Economic Leaders' Declaration recognized that the Asia-Pacific region's fast-expanding population and rapid economic growth are forecast to sharply increase the demand for food and energy and the pressures on the environment, and, thus, agreed on the need to take the appropriate action to respond to the issues on our own long-term agenda In addition, the Osaka Action Agenda recognizes that APEC members share the responsibility for sustainable development and clearly states that consideration for the environment be incorporated into all APEC activities.
   One example of such an activity which considers the environ-ment is the idea for an APEC Environment and Technology Virtual Re-ality Center to contribute to information exchange and reinforce the cultivation of human resources in the. region submitted by Japan at a meeting of science and technology ministers, hi addition, an interna-tional symposium on environmental technology cooperation was held in Nagoya in December 1995 to deepen mutual awareness of the impor-tance of international efforts to work on environmental problems in the APEC region.

  F. Environmental Measures at the G7 Summit

   Economic Declarations at the G7 Summit have addressed the en-vironment since the Ottawa Summit in 1981. Since the Arche Summit of 1989 especially, global environmental problems have been considered as major issues.
   At the Halifax Summit in Jun l995, the determination to secure substantial flows of funds and to improve the quality of assistance with the scope of the problem in order to advance sustainable development was displayed. Measures to protect the environment were given top priority on both domestic and international action and environmental conservation was recognized as contributing to the improvement of economic efficiency and growth as well as the creation of employment, through the development and application of innovative technologies. Each G7 country evinced leadership in the amelioration of environ-mental conditions through their policies, activities and procurement methods, and agreed that the body should effectively combine economic measures with the evaluation of their effect on the environment and should make efforts to consider the environment regarding the Polluter-Pays Principle (PPP), internalization of environmental costs, and all other areas of decision-making. In addition, the G7 stressed the neces-sity of fulfilling its commitments following the Earth Summit and the re-evaluation and reinforcement of those commitments when necessary. Furthermore, the G7 decided to promote the implementation of obliga-tions under the Framework Convention on Climate Change, a follow-up to the first session of the Conference of the Parties held in Berlin, the implementation of the interim work plan for the Convention on Biologi-cal Diversity, the success of the CSD Intergovernmental Panel on For-ests and international agreement regarding ocean issues at the next CSD meeting.
   In addition, based on a proposal from Canada, a G7 Environment Ministers Meeting in Hamilton (Canada) was held in April 1995 in ad-vance of the G7 Summit. At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on international institutional arrangements, environment-economy integra-tion, climate change, biological diversity, and toxic substances.

  (2) International Cooperation Based on Treaties, etc.

  A. Efforts Based on Treaties

 (A) Antarctic Treaty

   Preparations for the ratification of "Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty" were furthered.

 (B) Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

   Japan made efforts toward a suitable form of protection, includ-ing the formulation of a management plan regarding two of its natural treasures, Yakushima and Shirakami-sanchi, and also carried out stud-ies for the purpose of assisting the management plan for conservation measures to be taken for locations in Asia included on the list of world cultural and natural heritages.
  B. Efforts Based on Cooperation Agreements for Environmental Conservation

 (A) United States

   Since the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Unit ‾d States of America on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection Agreement was concluded in August 1975, the two countries have held ten ministerial-level Joint Planning and Coordination Committee meetings in order to address a wide van-ety of environmental issues based on the agreement. The tenth meeting was heId in November 1994 in Tokyo, where the two countries ex-changed opinions on global environmental problems of considerable in-terest to both.
   In addition, there are currently 17 projects underway, based on the agreement, which arc conducting information exchange, holding meetings and promoting exchanges between professionals.

 (B) Russia.

   The Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Gov-ernment of th Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection was concluded in April 1991. A Joint Committee Meeting was held in Tokyo in January 1994, where lively discussions were held regarding each country's environmental policy and various global environmental problems.

 (C) Republic of Korea

   The third meeting of the Japan-Republic of Korea Environmental Conservation Joint Committee, based on the Japan-Republic of Korea Environmental Conservation Cooperation Agreement concluded in June 1993, was held in Tokyo in March 1996. At the meeting, the two countries agreed to continue advancing existing agenda items, such as aerial and ground measurements of acidity and acidic substances in the atmosphere in the East Asian region, and to address six new agenda items, including joint research on the effects on the environment caused by substances related to industries using advanced technology.

 (D) China

   The second convening of the Japan-China Environmental Con-servation Joint Committee, based on the Japan-China Environmental Conservation Cooperation Agreement, concluded in March 1994, was held in Tokyo in December 1995. The two countries shared the opinion that they should increase efforts to promote mutual cooperation. The two countries also agreed to carry out ten new projects in addition to the nine existing ones.

  C. Efforts Based on Science and Technology Cooperation Agreements

 (A) United States

   The Japan-U.S. Agreement on Cooperation in Research and De-velopment in Science and Technology was concluded in June 1988 and extended in June 1993. Under this agreement, a Joint Ministerial-level and High-level Committee has met five times. The fifth meeting was held in January 1995 in Tokyo. The first Addendum to the agreement mentions seven main areas of cooperation. There are currently 45 pro-jects carrying out joint research in the area entitled "Earth Science and Global Environment."

 (B) Canada

   There have been five Joint Committee meetings promoting coop-eration in environmental areas based on the Japan-Canada Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement since the agreement's conclusion in 1986. Among other forms of cooperation being promoted under the agreement, the Panel on Earth Science and Environment in the North Pacific met for the first time in February 1996.

 (C) United Kingdom

   The first Japan-United Kingdom Science and Technology Joint Committee meeting under the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Gov-ernment of Japan on Co-operation in Science and Technology since the agreement's conclusion in June 1994, was held in December 1995. Under the agreement, cooperation in research based on previous science and technology cooperation between the two countries will be stepped up.

 (D) Germany

   The Environmental Protection Technology Panel, based on the Japan-Germany Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement con-cluded in 1974, has met 16 times since 1976. At the 16th meeting in To-kyo in February 1996, opinions were exchanged regarding cooperative projects.

 (B) Russia

   In July 1995, Japan and Russia held the third meeting of the Com-mittee of the Japan-Russia S&T Joint Committee, based on the Japan-Soviet Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, since the agreement's conclusion in 1973. Cooperation between the two countries regarding the reconstruction of global environmental changes in Lake Baykal and other topics is being advanced under the agreement.

 (F) China

   Seven meetings of the Japan-China Joint Committee on Coopera-tion in Science and Technology have been held under the Japan-China Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology concluded in 1980. Japan and China continue to cooperate in a variety of environ-mental areas.

 (G) Other Countries

   Japan is also carrying out international cooperation in environ-mental areas through cooperative projects based on science and tech-nology cooperation agreements with France, Italy, Australia, India, Is-rael and other countries.

 D. Other Activities

 (A) Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspectives between Japan and the U.S.

   At the Japan-U.S. Summit, held in July 1993, the Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective Between Japan and the U. S. was set forth as a forum for working out policies to deal with 21 st century issues including environmental problems. Five areas of coop-eration were agreed upon under this framework, including the environ-ment. In the area of the environment, the establishment of a vice-ministerial level forum (for environmental policy dialogue) to hold regu-lar consultations, and seven priority environmental issues, including "conservation" and "forests," were incorporated.
   General Meetings have been held five times since the first meet-ing was held in Washington in September 1993. in order to conduct con-sultations on cooperation in environmental and other areas. Four envi-ronmental policy dialogues centering on global environmental issues have also been held.
   At the third General Meeting held in May 1994, the two countries agreed on four new areas of cooperation, including coral reefs and a global change research network.

 (B) U.S.-Japan Conference on Developnment and Utilization of Natural Resources (UJNR)

   The U.S.-Japan Conference on Development and Utilization of Natural Resources (UJNR) was inaugurated in 1964. The 14th General Meeting of the conference was held in the United States in July 1993. In-formation exchange was continued among the subcommittees on con-servation, recreation and parks.

 (C) Japan-EU High-level Consultations on the Environment

   In July 1991, Japan and the EU issued a joint declaration which emphasized the need for cooperation between them in environmental areas. As a result, meetings have been held four times since 1992. The fourth meeting in Brussels in October 1994 saw the steady advance-ment of cooperation in environmental areas between Japan and the EU.

 (D) Japan-Canada Environmental Policy Consultations

   Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment Sheila Coops visited Japan in August 1995 and proposed to then-Environment Agency Director-General Tadamori Oshima the opening of a dialogue on environmental policy between the two countries.
   The first Japan-Canada Environmental Policy Consultations was subsequently held in March i.996 in Vancouver. At the meeting, opin-ions were exchanged on follow-up to UNCED, environmental considera-tions for APEC and other subjects.

 (E) Other countries

   Japan k also carrying out international cooperation in environ-mental areas through cooperative projects with Spain, Sweden, Finland, Norway and other countries.

  (3) Overseas Public Relations

   By offering both the abundant experience obtained in the proc-ess of overcoming sever. pollution problems, and the wealth of out-standing technology and other knowledge in environmental areas to other countries, Japan can promote a deeper understanding of its poli-cies and make a significant contribution to the international community.
   In order to effectively respond to global environmental problems which ar b coming more marked, it is important that Japan foster mu-tual understanding with other countries and make use of the informa-tion from other countries in policy-making. In this respect, the exchange of information between countries is also extremely significant.
   For this purpose, the Environment Agency regularly issues Eng-lish language version of its publications such as "Quality of the Envi-ronment in Japan," "Environmental Research in Japan," "Global Envi-ronment Research of Japan," and "Japan Environment Summary," and is conducting a wide. range of public relations activities, including the preparation of materials for specific overseas P.R. purposes and their distribution to governments, international agencies, learned individuals and the press.

2. Environmental Conservation in Developing Regions

   Developing countries are currently facing such problems as the destruction and deterioration of the quality of natural resources, includ-ing diminishing vegetation and deforestation, soil erosion and the accu-mulation of salt in soil, the depletion of water resources, the advance of desertification, and declines in wildlife.
   Pollution problems in metropolitan areas due to population growth, the concentration of populations in cities and rapid increases of automobiles combined with the rapid industrialization in these coun-tries has led to pollution of the environment and destruction of nature of a greater extent than that experienced by Japan. In addition to the above-mentioned environmental problems faced by these countries, there are global environmental problems such as the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming which must also be addressed.
   However these countries face difficulties in combating these problems due to a lack of sufficient funds, technology and human re-sources, making assistance from developed countries in dispensable. Furthermore, assistance to Eastern Europe and other areas is becoming crucial due to the currently severe pollution problems which developed as environmental measures were neglected.
   At the Earth Summit in June 1992, Japan announced that it would step up assistance to developing countries in environmental ar-eas through the large scale expansion and reinforcement of its ODA in environmental areas from 900 billion yen to 1 trillion yen over a five year period, starting in FY 1992. In the three years from FY 1992 to FY 1994, Japan has already reached over 70% of its goal, at 704.1 billion yen.
   Japan's Basic Environment Law calls for the Japanese Govern-ment to formulate the necessary measures to promote international co-operation for the conservation of the global environment. In addition. the Basic Environment Plan calls for Japan to give active assistance on environmental conservation to developing countries and to help them with their self-relief efforts.
   Japan is striving to realize these goals by stepping up policy dia-logues and strengthening the formulation of excellent projects with de-veloping countries.
   In FY 1995, Japan offered environmental assistance in the form of the following ODA to developing countries:

  (1) Studies to Find Environment-related Aid Projects

   In order to expand and reinforce its assistance in environmental areas,Japan strengthens its various policy dialogues with developing countries with an accurate grasp of the extent of environmental prob-lems in developing countries and the surrounding social and economic conditions, and then looks for helpful ideas for assistance. With this pur-pose in mind, Japan has been sending environmental missions to South-east Asia Southwest Asia, China, etc., since 1989.
   With the support of th relevant government ministries and agencies, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is also conducting various studies for the purpose of project formation.

  (2) Development Studies

   Various development studies have been undertaken by the JICA in FY 1995 in order to draw up master plans, etc., for environmental conservation in developing countries, in the fields of air pollution meas areas and waste treatment.

  (3) Dispatch of Experts

   In order to provide technical assistance to administrative agen-cies and research institutes in developing countries, the JICA dis-patches experts with the cooperation of the relevant government minis-tries and agencies and local public organizations. The number of ex-perts dispatched in environmental areas is increasing rapidly. For ex-ampl, the number of experts dispatched to Chile, Thailand, China, Indo-nesia and other countries in FY 1995 in Environment Agency related ac-tivities totaled 83 persons (see Fig. 9-1-1). The need for the dispatch of experts in environmental fields has increased dramatically in recent years and the recruiting training of human resources is becoming a major issue. The JICA and the relevant government ministries and agencies are expanding the training programs in order to cultivate hu-man resources, promoting the registration of experts toward smoother dispatch, and are stepping up collaboration with local public organizations.

Fig.9-1-1 Trend in the Dispatch of Experts in the Envirmmental Field (Experts Nominated by the Environment Agency)

Fig.9-1-1 Trend in the Dispatch of Experts in the Envirmmental Field (Experts Nominated by the Environment Agency)

Source:Environment Agency

  (4) Acceptance of Trainees

   Many developing countries are faced with a lack of government adminstrators and engineers who possess the requisite expertise on en-vironmental conservation in general. To address this problem, group training courses are being executed with the cooperation of the JICA, the relevant government ministries and agencies, and local public or-
   In addition to group training courses in areas such as environ-mental policy dud environmental engineering, air pollution control, etc., training courses specially offered for specific countries such as those of Eastern Europe and Brazil are being implemented. Japan is also con-stantly conducting individual training courses in accordance with re-quests from developing countries and the needs of each country (Tables 9-1-3 and 9-1-4).

  (5) Project-Type Technical Cooperation

   Project-Type Techinical Cooperation which combine such as-pects as the dispatch of experts and the acceptance of trainees is being carried out by the JICA with th support of the relevant government ministries and agencies.The JICA is also conducting follow-up coopera-tion as necessary for projects which have exceeded their official term of operation.
   In FY 1995, project-Type. technical cooperation was initiated for the projects of the National Center for Environment in the Republic of Chile, the National Center for Environmental Research and Training in Mexico, and di Biodiversity Conscrvation in Indonesia.

  (6) Grant Aid

   Japan is implementing grant aid while combining it with project-type technical cooperation for project logistics for the establishment and operation of facilities in order to ensure more effective use of grant aid.

  (7) Loan Aid

   Just as loan aid played a large role in Japan's postwar recovery, it is still very efftective. in helping developing countries advance sustain-able development, through assistance which helps strengthen economic infrastructure. Loans in environmental areas are also effective. Japan is actively extending loan aid in environmental areas through the Overseas Eco-nomic Cooperation Fund (OECF). Japan's environmental loans are mainly directed at environ-mental areas which are difficult to address with grant aid and technical cooperation because of their magnitude, such as water treatment and sewage disposal and air pollution countermeasures. The loan aid is extended by Japan through the OECF in a variety of environmental areas.

Table 9-1-3 Group Training Courses in Environmental Field

Table 9-1-3 Group Training Courses in Environmental Field

Source: Prepared by the Environment Agency based on materials from the relevant ministries and agencies

Table 9-1-4 Acceptance of Individual Trainees in Environmental Fields (Related to the Environment Agency)

Table 9-1-4 Acceptance of Individual Trainees in Environmental Fields (Related to the Environment Agency)

Source: Environment Agency

  (8) Basic Environmental Surveys, etc.

   In order to facilitate the smooth promotion of the above projects, the relevant Japanese government ministries and agencies have con-ducted surveys of environmental problems in developing countries and the conditions behind them.

  (9) Cooperation through International Organizations

   Cooperation through international organizations is important in order to address global environmental problems which cannot be han-dled sufficiently by bilateral cooperation, devise guidelines for joint ef-forts, and to improve measures aimed at countries and areas about which there is currently little available information.
   In FY 1995, Japan contributed $9 million toward the UN Environ-ment Fund of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is playing a central role in combating environmental problems, contributed $2.5 million to the Trust Fund for Technological Coopera-tion of the UNEP's International Center for Environmental Technology, and also contributed to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) for the protection and sustainable utilization of tropical rain for-ests.
   Japan is also stepping up its efforts in environmental areas as a leading contributor to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other or-ganizations extending multilateral assistance. Japan's cooperation in en-vironmental areas through these organizations is growing increasingly significant.
   The Global Environment Facility (GEF), inaugurated in 1991, was a three-year experimental program co-managed by the World Bank, the UNDP, and the UNEP in order to combat global warming and diminish-ing biological diversity, protect international waterways and thwart the destruction of the ozone layer in developing countries, which ended its successful pilot phase in 1994. In that year, a restructuring was under-taken in order to make its decision-making methods more fair and transparent. It was given an additional US $2 billion and it was then re-started under the name GEF 1. In line with its position in the interna-tional community, Japan is an active participant in GEF 1. The size of Japan's contribution to GEF 1 (approximately US $415 million) is second only to that of the United States, and the country is also a participant on a review board which evaluates each GEF 1 project.

  (10) Environmental Cooperation with Eastern Europe

   Japan responded to then-Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu's declara-tion regarding the serious environmental problems he witnessed on his visit to the region in January 1991, by promoting technical cooperation through organizations such as the JICA. In FY 1995, Japan accepted trainees from various Eastern European countries and in Hungary im-plemented the Sajyo Valley Region Air Pollution Control Plan (develop-ment study) and the Varpalota Region Environment Improvement Plan (loan aid), both of which are still underway. Japan also continues to con-tribute to the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe in Budapest, which was founded in order to assist measures to combat environmental problems in Eastern Europe. Japan has made yearly contributions to the center since 1991, including $1.7 million in FY 1995.

3. Conservation of Areas of the Environment Having International Importance

   The Sixth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Conven-tion on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) held in March 1996 in Brisbane, Australia confirmed the importance of the conservation of wetlands on the flying route of migratory birds.
   As for Yakushima and Shirakami-sanchi, natural heritage sites in Japan under the Convention of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, Japan continued to promote appropriate protective measures. Japan also continued studies on protective measures for World Heritage sites in Asia.
   The Japanese government initiated preparation for the conclu-sion of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty to promote protection of the environment in Antarctica.

4. Establishing a Domestic Foundation for Implementing Smooth International Cooperation

   In order to fulfill a role commensurate with Japan's status in the international community, in responding to the rapidly growing number of requests for the dispatch of Japanese experts in environmental areas from developing countries, it is important for Japan to establish a do-mestic foundation for implementing smooth international cooperation while cooperating with collaborative international schemes performed by internal organizations for cooperation such as the JICA. With this in mind, Japan started the "Training Course for Cultivating Experts on In-ternational Environmental Cooperation" from FY 1994, and making ef-forts to train Japanese experts in environmental areas involving tech-nology transfer to developing countries.
   Japan has also been carrying out the "Basic Infrastructure Strengthening Project toward Sustainable Development" from FY 1995. This project examines the ideal framework for the domestic support of international cooperation in environmental areas and work toward pre-paring the necessary educational materials for facilitating smoother technology transfer for Japanese experts deployed abroad. In addition, the construction of an "Eco-Aid Training Facilities" (provisional name) which will provide a higher level of training of Japanese experts who will carry out technology transfer in developing countries was be gun at the National Environmental Training Center using the Supplementary Budget for FY1995.

Section 2. Securing International Cooperation for Environmental Studies, Research, Monitoring and Observation

   Japan has actively promoted studies and research on the conser-vation of the global environment. While continuing to participate and co-operate in worldwide research programs such as the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), World Climate Research Pro-gramme (WCRP), and the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), Japan has promoted research for understanding global change phenomena, res arch on the correla-tion between human activities and the global environment, and interdis-ciplinary research which includes the viewpoints both of natural sci-ences and human and social sciences.
   In particular, Japan has encouraged the international exchange of human resources in the field of global environmental r search. In or-der to raise the level of international research mutually, Japan estab-lished the international exchange research scheme , call d the Eco-Frontier Fellowship Programme" within the Global Environment Re-search Program Fund. By this scheme, young researchers have been in-vited from overseas to conduct joint research at several national re-search institutes of Japan.
   In addition, Japan has been supporting the development of the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) by serving is its interim secretariat, and in January 1996 hosted a Scientific Planning Committee of the APN in Tokyo. This was followed by th first APN Inter-Governmental Meeting, held in March 1996 in Chiang Mai, Thai-land, where the participants agreed to continue the support of research activities under the auspices of the APN on Asian monsoons, human di-mensions of global environmental problems and so on.
   Japan has been participating in and cooperating with interna-tional monitoring and observation programs such as the Global Environ-mental Monitoring System (GEMS) under the UNEP. the Global Atmos-phere Watch (GAW) under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Global Climate Observation System (GCOS), and the Inte-grated Global Ocean Services System (IGOSS) under th WMO/Int r-governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
   In particular, Japan's Meteorological Agency and Ministry c Transport cooperated with the WMO to hold an Asia-Pacific Ozon Workshop for the purpose of improving regional ozone observation technologies and their accuracy.
   In addition, in the area of earth observations by man-made satel-lites, Japan has conducted satellite development, launching, operation and the development of effective methods of utilizing satellite sensors and aircraft sensors in line with the activities of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS),
   Furthermore, the Meteorological Agency has begun work at its Quality Assurance Center (QA/SAC) to assess the quality of observa-tion data of "greenhouse effect" gases in Asia and the South Pacific re-gion as part of the activities of the WMO and GAW, and has also initi-ated observations of the chemical ingredients in rain-fall and dust-fall at the global observatory at Minamitorishima Island in Tokyo.

Section 3. Encouraging the Activities of Local Public Organizations and Private Sector Organizations

   Local public organizations possess abundant experience and rich human resources in environmental areas, and play a significant role in furthering international environmental efforts. In addition, private cor-porations and other private sector groups develop original technologies and kinds of activities concerning environmental conservation and are becoming indispensable to promoting future environmental cooperation by Japan.
   The Basic Environment Law also cites the importance of the role played by such organizations in furthering international cooperation concerning the environment, and the Basic Environment Plan calls for the promotion of cooperation fueled by knowledge on environmental conservation accumulated by local public organizations and cooperation by private sector groups at the grass-roots level.
   The main efforts made by these organizations in FY 1995 are de-scribed below.

1. Activities by Local Public Organizations

  (1) "World Conference on Local Initiatives for Sustainable Cities"

   The Environment Agency, along with Kanagawa Prefecture and cities and towns within the prefecture, held "World Conference on Lo-cal Initiatives for Sustainable Cities" in Yokohama in November 1995.
   Representatives of 192 municipalities, including 70 mayors, and representatives of governmental and international organizations from 62 countries, a total of 1,031 participants, gathered to take partin the conference. At the conference, the representatives from various munici-palities followed up on the Earth Summit by exchanging their experi-ences and discussed the roles of local authorities and desired forms of cooperation aimed at the realization of sustainable (or environmentally friendly) cities.

  (2) The Third Local Government Leaders' Summit on (Climate Change (Saitama Summit)

   Held in order to promote countermeasures against global warm-ing through international cooperation between local governments third meeting of this Summit was hosted jointly by the International Council on Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI) and Saitama Prefec-ture in October 1995, and was attended by delegates from 42 Japanese local governments and 160 local governments from 54 other countries At the meeting, local governments representing Asian countries cam-paigned to work jointly toward countermeasures against climate change and a "Declaration on Climate Change by Local Governments" (Saitama Declaration) was adopted, which proposes intergovernmental joint countermeasure projects.

  (3) The Development of Projects Promoting Environmental Initiatives by Local Public Organizations in the Asian Region

   As described in detail in chapter 7, section 1, part 3, Japan has furthered its examination of methods of environmental coopertion be-tween domestic and other Asian local public organizations, As a result. specific environmental cooperation projects will be conducted starting in FY 1996.

  (4) Environmental Cooperation with Developing Countries

   In the area of environmental cooperation, Japanese local public organizations have played major roles in the dispatch of experts to and the acceptance of trainees from developing countries. According to the Environment Agency, a total of 18 environmental experts were dis-patched from Japanese local public organizations through the JICA in FY 1995. Tn addition, trainees from a great number of developing coun-tries received technical training at testing and research institutes under the auspices of local public organizations all over Japan.
   Local public organizations are also accepting trainees from sister cities, holding conferences, conducting information exchanges, offering on-site technical advice and donating materials and machinery to these countries in unique ways. The role of these organizations in environ-mental cooperation is becoming more and more significant. This kind of participation and cooperation by local public organizations will be essential in order for Japan to continue to maintain a level of co-operation on global environmental problems equal to the country's status in the international community.

2. Private Sector Activities

  (1) Activities by Corporations

   Most air pollution prevention devices and other technologies for environmental conservation have been developed by private corpora-tions in response to government regulation and guidance and rising public awareness about the environment. Private corporations also play a significant role in technology transfer, in the form of direct investment in developing countries and other methods. Demands for technology transfer aired at the Earth Summit and rising expectations for contribu-tions from Japan have caused the increase of promotion of private-sector transfers of environmental conservation technologies to become a major topic.

  (2) Activities by Private Sector Groups

   Private sector groups play an important role in promoting coop-eration with developing countries and in educating and boosting aware-ness of international cooperation. Many groups, including public founda-tions such. as the Japan Wildlife Research Center (JWRC),the Interna-tional Lake Environment Committee (ILEC),the Overseas Environ-mental Cooperation Center (OECC), and the Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International (OISCA), and volun-tary groups such as the Japan International Volunteers'Center and the Buddhist Soto Sect Volunteers' Center, engage in environmental con-servation projects from the government level down to the grassroots level and hold symposiums, lecture and seminars in order to promote environmental cooperation. The Basic Environment Law stresses the importance of the participation of private sector groups international cooperation for conservation of the global environment. The Govern-ment offers assistance to such activities, including the Japan Environ-ment Corporation's "Japan Fund for Global Environment,"the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' NGO project subsidy and grant aid for grassroots cooperation, and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications "Inter-national Volunteer Savings" This governmental assistance and the in-creased interest of the Japanese people are expected to propel even more dynamic private sector activities.

  (3) Debt for Nature Swaps (DNS)

   Debt for Nature Swaps (DNS) is a system in which non-governmental organizations that are internationally active negotiate with developing countries to purchase their debt; in exchange for dis-posing of the debt, the government of the developing country is re-quired to spend its own currency on nature protection and other envi-ronmental conservation policies. DNS has attracted attention at interna-tional conferences such as Summit meetings of major industrialized countries, and was noted in the Agenda 21 agreed on at the Earth Sum-mit as a revolutionary method of raising funds. By December 1993 DNS had been implemented 31 times, mostly by NGOs in the United States working mainly with countries in Central and South America.
   As for Japan, a United States subsidiary of the Bank of Tokyo (now the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.), and Dai-Ichi Knagyo Bank Ltd., have made contributions to DNS projects in the Philippines and the Galapagos Islands, respectively, Moreover, the gathering and or-ganization of DNS-related information is important for the smooth pro-motion of DNS. Accordingly, the Japanese Overseas Environment Coop-eration Center (OECC) has set up a DNS information network.

Section 4. Environmental Considerations in the Implementation of International Cooperation

1. Environmental Considerations in Official Development Assistance

   Consideration of local environmental conservation is extremely important when implementing official development assistance (ODA). The Government has reinforced its environmental considerations for implementing ODA through the basic concepts and principles listed in Japan's Official Development Assistance Charter and the statement made in 1989 by the Council of Ministers for Global Environmental Con-servation.
   With this in mind, the JICA adopted the "Guidelines for Environ-mental Impact Study for Dam Construction Programs" in February 1990. and from FY1991 to FY1994 adopted guidelines concerning the so-cioeconomic infrastructure, and the mining, agriculture, forestry and fishing industri s that required environmental considerations at the preliminary survey stage. Environmental impact assessment at the main survey stage was also required when deemed necessary at the preliminary survey stage. In addition, the OECF, which is in charge of yen loans, is working to ensure environmental consideration based on the guidelines drawn up in October 1989 and amended and strength-ened in August 1995. At the same time, both institutions have made ef-forts to expand their organizations dealing with the environment and to have environmental experts participate in survey teams.
   Both the Basic Environment Law and the Basic Environment Plan stipulate taking environmental considerations into account in the course of international cooperation. In the future, it will be important to promote these considerations even further, while gaining the under-standing of the countries receiving assistance.

2. Environmental Considerations for Companies Expanding Overseas

   Environmental considerations are extremely important for com-panies expanding their business overseas. Through a statement made in 1989 by the Council of Ministers for Global Environmental Conserva-tion, the Government called for the appropriate environmental consid-erations to be taken.
   Economic organizations are also addressing environmental Con-siderations on their own. The Japan Federation of Economic Organiza-tions (Keidanren) adopted guidelines for environmental conservation, the Keidanren Charter on the Global Environment in April 1991. In this charter, 10 clauses are stipulated on environmental considerations for companies expanding business overseas, including a promise to strictly observe environmental standards of the countries where they operate and to strive for further environmental conservation.
   The Basic Environment Law stipulates that the Government must work to adopt measures needed, such as supplying information about these environmental considerations, while the Basic Environment Plan also requires that private-sector companies take appropriate envi-ronmental considerations when engaged in overseas activities. In the fu-ture, it will be important to promote these considerations even furthrer, while gaining the understanding of the countries where Japanese com-panies operate.

3. Multilateral Discussions Concerning Development Assistance

   The OECD Development Assistance Committee has promoted the study of guidelines on assistance and environment concerning envi-ronmental assessments, wetlands, oceans, etc.

Section 5. Efforts Concerning Global Environmental Conservation Based on International Conventions

1. Prevention of Global Warming

   In order to achieve international cooperation on efforts to pre-vent global warming, the United Nations Framework Convention on Cli-mate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in May 1992 and went into effect for Japan on 21 March 1994.
   This Convention sets the ultimate objectivc. as the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at levels, so as to pr -vent adverse effects of human activities in the climate system, and makes various requirements on Contracting Parties, including prepara-tion of inventories of emissions by sources and removal by sinks of greenhouse gases and the drawing up of national programs for counter-measures to warming. In particular, Japan and other developed country Parties must adopt policies and measures with the awareness that re-turning emission volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to earlier levels of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol by the end of the 1990 s would contribute to the goals of the Convention. The Parties are also re-quired to communicate those policies and measures taken to the Confer-ence of the Parties within six months after the country has ratified the Convention, and then send further communication on a periodic basis. The information sent by each country called for the conducting of de-tailed reviews based on the Convention. The communication submitted by the Government of Japan in September 1994 was reviewed on 3-7 July 1995.
   At the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COPI), held from March to April 1995, the existing regula-tions of the Convention regarding countermeasures by advanced coun-tries in the period from the year 2000 were considered insufficient. It was decided that international measures from the year 2000 would be adopted at the third session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP3) in 1997. In preparation, a Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM) was set up to deliberate on the matter. In addition to participating actively in these discussions, Japan also participated in lively discussions at meeting of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). At the third meeting of the AGBM in March 1996, Japan an-nounced that in order to host COP 3, the Government was completing internal coordination and would express its intention to host the meet-ing within two months.
   The concept of activities implemented jointly (AIJ) carried out by more than two countries to prevent global warming was introduced at COP1. With the awareness of the need for measures which contrib-ute to emission reduction of greenhouse gases for the entire world, by promoting AIJ in the Pilot Phase, thus contributing to the determination of standards for joint implementation under the Convention, in Novem-ber 1995 an agreement was made on Japan's Basic Framework for Ac-tivities Implemented Jointly in the Pilot Phase related to the United Na-tions Framework Convention on Climate Change (Japan Program for Activities Implemented Jointly) at the joint meeting of secretaries of the Council of Ministers for Global Environment Conservation and the Council of Ministers for Promotion of Comprehensive Energy Measures. Later, in January 1996, AIJ Project Application Manual, Project Appli-cation Form, and Project Evaluation Guidelines were accepted by the Liaison Conference of Ministries and Agencies for Activities Imple-mented Jointly set up under the Basic Framework. The first public sub-scription period for the project was from 1 April to 10 June 1996. Enthu-siastic participation was encouraged by providing information and facili-tating exchanges of opinion among industries, local public organizations, and NGOs through meetings such as the preparatory meeting of the "Forum for Promotion of Activities Implemented Jointly" held in March 1996.
   The Second Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), completed in December 1995, forms the sci-entific basis of future measures to prevent global warming based on the Convention. Japan made large contributions to the preparation of the Report by holding related workshops and through the efforts of the many Japanese researchers who were major contributing authors.