Final Remarks :Quality of the Environment in Japan 1998

Final Remarks

The year 1998 is the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Basic Environment Law in November 1993. The Basic Environment Plan was adopted at the Cabinet meeting in December 1994 as a central measure based on the Basic Environment Law, with its vision extending well into the mid-21st century. The Plan stipulates long term and comprehensive environmental policies to be taken by the beginning of the 21st century. In this Plan, it is already clearly stated that it is a necessity to fundamentally change the present economic and social systems and lifestyles. The Plan also shows ways to realize this. The concepts of "sound material cycle" and "coexistence" are presented as long-term goals that contain ideas and strategies to transform the present economy and society into forms that are sustainable.
This year's White Paper on the Environment calls for the necessity of going beyond the present economic and social systems which are dependent upon a paradigm of mass-production, mass-consumption and mass-disposal, and the present lifestyles that depend on these systems. The White Paper introduces examples that illustrate how commercial enterprises etc. are trying to practically realize the two goals of "sound material cycle" and "coexistence." By doing so, the Paper is trying to clarify as much as possible the rich contents of the potential of the goals, at the same time seeking ways to further consolidate and clarify them. It also hopes to envision the way our society should be in the 21st century, making concrete the notions of sound material cycle and coexistence. While doing this it tries to point out the problems we face in the present.
Part of the aims of this Paper would be fulfilled if readers could feel, even to a small degree, a sign of a new economy and society based on sound material cycle and coexistence for the 21st century, in the various efforts that are being made. Changing the shape of our current economic and social systems and altering our current lifestyles entails various difficulties and some pain, and it is just a beginning. However, it is also true that, although small they may be, buds of hope are appearing in various different forms of activities. It is time to evaluate and to pay close attention to these regional and unique efforts. It is time to empathize with such efforts. Furthermore, it is time to link these efforts with the economic and social system as a whole, and draw up the direction for the changes towards the 21st century from a broad points of view and with calm insights.