October 2, 2003
In accordance with Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Law on Special Measures concerning Removal of Environmental Problems Caused by Specified Industrial Wastes (Law No. 98 of 2003, hereinafter referred to as "Specified Industrial Wastes Special Measures Law") states that the Minister of the Environment shall formulate a fundamental policy for promoting removal of environmental problems caused by specified industrial wastes systematically and steadily by March 31, 2012. As the consultations with heads of the concerned governmental agencies stipulated in Paragraph 3 of said article have been completed, the Ministry of the Environment is announcing the fundamental policy, in accordance with Paragraph 4 of said article.
The fundamental policy defines the basic direction for promoting removal of environmental problems caused by specified industrial wastes, which aims to systematically and steadily solve problems that affect people's living environment that have been caused by inappropriate disposal of industrial wastes in the past (hereinafter referred to as "specified industrial wastes"). These problems are to be solved within the period of the next 10 years.
In the section of basic matters concerning removal of environmental problems caused by specified industrial wastes, the policy specifies the kinds and amounts of specified industrial wastes, selection of the methods of disposal that are most effective in removing the problems, ideas concerning expenses and subsidies needed for implementation of recovery/preventive measures, and measures against those who improperly disposed of specified industrial wastes.
In the section of the other important matters to consider when promoting the removal of environmental problems caused by specified industrial wastes, the policy calls for monitoring of the surrounding living environment, and cooperation and information exchanges among prefectural governments.
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| * | Outline of the Fundamental Policy in accordance with the Specified Industrial Wastes Special Measures Law |