Japan for Sustainability

New Emissions Trading Method Tested Using Valentine's Day Cards

2012-05-24T21:00:15Z

Japan's National Institute of Informatics (NII) and four companies, Toppan Printing Co., Nihon Unisys, Ltd., Seven & I Holdings Co., and Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co., tested a new CO2 emissions trading method in a demonstration trial using information and communications technology from February 9 to 13, 2012.

NII and these four companies have been conducting research focused on a method for reducing the unit size of traded emission rights (carbon offsets) to a smaller, more easily transferable and purchasable quantity. Emission rights are usually managed and traded in units of between 1 and 1,000 tons. This research-based trial reduced the size of the trading unit for emission rights (J-VER) created by three forest cooperative associations based in Kamaishi City and other areas in Iwate Prefecture that were struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The emission rights were attached to greeting cards that were then sold for 100 yen (US$1.30) a piece.

More specifically, 10 kilograms of emission rights were attached to Valentine's Day cards sold at the Yokohama Sogo Department Store. Card recipients were able to access a test website using a cell phone or other device and then select an organization they wished to support from among three reconstruction assistance organizations. The selected organization could then offset the CO2 emissions from their reconstruction activities.

The trial was designed to examine the effectiveness of a small-unit, simplified emissions trading method proposed by research, while simultaneously benefiting reconstruction assistance in the disaster area.

Environment Ministry Registers 3 Projects for J-VER Credit Scheme (Related JFS article)

Posted: 2012/05/25 06:00:15 AM

Report Shows Drastic Changes in Energy Market in Fiscal 2011

2012-05-23T21:00:15Z

The energy market environment in Japan drastically changed in fiscal 2011 according to a report on the domestic energy liberalization and energy service markets entitled "Market Strategy of Power/Gas/Energy Services 2012," released on February 13, 2012, by Fuji Keizai Co., a Japanese marketing research firm.

Due to damage to gas pipelines and manufacturing facilities as well as the accident at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and its subsequent tsunami, and resulting postponement of resuming operations at nuclear power plants throughout Japan, the functions of the energy infrastructure in Japan, through which energy had been stably supplied before the Earthquake, have been restricted.

Electricity supply, in particular, was heavily affected and the market environment drastically changed; electricity consumers have strengthened their efforts to save electricity due to energy supply instability. While energy suppliers have made efforts to maintain stable energy supply and procurement, energy management system/service business operators have tried to meet the needs for electricity saving measures.

Electric power sales in fiscal 2010 by business operators other than general power suppliers, known as power producers and suppliers (PPS), increased by 30 percent from the previous fiscal year to 19.96 billion kWh, while in fiscal 2011 the amount is estimated to have been nearly flat at 20.06 billion kWh, up 0.5 percent from the previous year, resulting from difficulty in electricity procurement as well as conservation efforts by existing customers.

Toshiba to Undertake Smart Energy Demonstration Project in Miyakojima (Related JFS article)
Smart City Project in Chiba, Japan, Gets Full-Scale Launch (Related JFS article)

Posted: 2012/05/24 06:00:15 AM

Japan's Meteorological Agency Confirms Gradual Warming of Ocean

2012-05-22T21:00:15Z

Average annual water temperature in the ocean down to a depth of 700 meters
Copyright Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported on February 13, 2012, that the temperature of the ocean, down to a depth of 700 meters, has been increasing over the past 50 years and the global average rate of increase was 0.02 degree Celcius per decade. This study was made by analyzing water temperature data collected from oceanographic observations from 1950 to 2011.

JMA has reported on the long-term increase in sea surface temperatures. The decades-long warming of the ocean's interior, evidenced by its new study, suggests, however, that heat is also accumulating in the upper 700 meters of the ocean. The increase in deeper water temperature could be attributed to the downward conduction or transfer of surface heat, which has been intensified by global warming and natural variability on various time scales.

Ocean warming results in higher sea levels due to the thermal expansion According to satellite altimetry data between 1993 and 2010, the sea level rose at a rate of 2.95 millimeters per year, and thermal expansion of the ocean down to a depth of 700 meters is thought to be responsible for one third of this elevation.   

JMA plans to update its analysis results annually.

Posted: 2012/05/23 06:00:15 AM

[Newsletter] Making the Impossible Possible -- "Miracle Apples" and Natural Cultivation

2012-05-22T05:13:18Z

JFS Newsletter No.115 (April 2012)

Photo courtesy of Akinori Kimura

In Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, in northern Japan "Miracle Apples" are being grown. Miracle Apples are raised through a "natural cultivation" method that employs neither pesticides nor fertilizers, not even organic matter such as compost or manure. These apples do not turn brown from oxidation after being cut. When left untouched for some time, they start fermenting without decay.

Japan is one of the largest pesticide users in the world. It is said that apples in particular cannot be produced without pesticides. In this article, we introduce Akinori Kimura who has succeeded in growing pesticide-free apples with his "natural cultivation" method.

Differences between Natural Cultivation and Organic/Natural Farming

Kimura's natural cultivation method aims to reproduce the natural environment of woodlands and forests on farmland, without using pesticides, chemical fertilizers or organic matter such as compost and manure. His theory is that this brings out the natural strength of crops and helps them grow vigorously. Since natural cultivation does not use even organic fertilizers, it is different from organic farming. On this point, natural cultivation is similar to the natural farming method established by Masanobu Fukuoka.

Japanese Farmer-Philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka: Natural Farming Greening the Deserts

Natural farming avoids tilling based on a concept of as little human intervention as possible. With Kimura's natural cultivation farmers put their greatest effort into thorough observations of nature and preparation of an environment suitable for the growth of the crop. That is one difference between natural farming and natural cultivation. The concept of natural cultivation holds that, because the natural environment of woodlands and forests was created over an extended period of time, human intervention is necessary to appropriately reproduce a natural environment on man-made farmland.

Kimura sprays apple trees with vinegar to prevent diseases. To protect the apple trees from summer heat and dry soil, he does not clear away undergrowth. He mows the weeds in fall to help the apple trees recognize the changing season. This enhances the color and taste of the apples.

While growing pesticide-free apples, Kimura also researched possibilities for natural cultivation of rice and vegetables. To improve poor soil, he plants legumes such as soybeans, which fix nitrogen compounds in the soil, enriching it. Unlike no-tillage natural farming, he tills the soil, but he does it roughly and less frequently than conventional farmers. Rough tilling brings more air into soil, allowing aerobic microorganisms to work actively.

These techniques we've described are just a few examples of natural cultivation methods. Kimura is now engaged in the creation of a comprehensive manual that can be used nationwide, with the help of people working on natural cultivation in various parts of Japan. Natural cultivation is based on establishing site-specific methods that accord with the local climate, soil characteristics, and crops. This site-specificity makes it difficult to create a manual. Establishing natural cultivation methods suitable for an individual farm requires observation, experience, knowledge and time.

It is usually said that farmers experience a large decrease in yield for about three years after shifting to natural cultivation from conventional farming, as practiced by mainstream farmers throughout Japan given an averaged frequency and volume of fertilizer application and pesticide spraying. As the farmland and crops become better adapted over time, however, yields increase up to about 70 to 80 percent of conventional farming yields. Some farmers even achieve higher yields than in conventional farming.

Continued natural cultivation improves plants' resistance to diseases and pests. Many people feel safer eating vegetables exhibiting insect damage as a sign that pesticides have not been used. However, soil under natural cultivation is similar to natural soil which has no excess nutrients, an so very little insect damage is seen in vegetables produced by natural cultivation, which are also usually beautiful and symmetrical in shape. We can think of plants raised through natural cultivation as artifacts produced through the skill of farmers as artisans who have created cultivation methods well-suited to the plants and their local land.

Photo courtesy of Akinori Kimura

Pesticide Damage and Miracle Apples

How did Kimura start to work on natural cultivation?

He started to cultivate apples in the 1970s, and at this time he used pesticides and chemical fertilizers in large quantities. In those days, pesticides were sprayed by hand. When pesticides happened to splash on his hands or face, it caused skin irritation so severe that the skin stripped off. Holding back tears, he used to run to the bathroom to wash the pesticides away as soon as he finished work. Suffering pesticide damage himself, he decided he did not want to use pesticides any more.

At first, he worked to reduce the amounts of pesticide he used, which led to reductions in crop yields but achieved a profit due to reduced pesticide costs. This result encouraged him to try farming entirely without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. He then came to understand that reduced chemical farming and chemical free farming are completely different.

Immediately after switching to chemical-free farming, the trees dropped their leaves and looked dead even in the summer, producing no flowers in spring. No flowers means no fruit. While facing the difficulties of no crops and no income, he continued seeking a natural cultivation method. It took more than ten years before his apple trees finally produced fruit.

Apple trees are not native to Japan and are easily infected with fungus and other diseases in its warm, humid climate. In order to raise apples in Japan, varieties have been rapidly and repeatedly improved, resulting in extremely vulnerable trees. It is commonly believed that apples cannot be produced here without using pesticides. The apple produced through natural cultivation is thus very much a "miracle apple" that greatly transcends common assumptions about apple-growing in Japan.

Harmful Nitrates

Kimura conducted an interesting experiment to illustrate the safety of natural cultivation. He put rice grown by natural cultivation, rice grown by conventional farming and Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) certified organic rice into three bottles, poured water into the bottles and left them in a warm place for two weeks or so. The results were: natural cultivation rice fermented into vinegar, conventional farming rice became putrid, emitting a foul odor, and astonishingly enough JAS certified organic rice became putrid even sooner than conventional-farming rice

From the left, natural cultivation, conventional and organic rice.
Photo courtesy of Akinori Kimura

Why did the organic rice, which is believed to be safe, go rotten so fast? Kimura speculates that immature compost may have been the cause. Using immature compost is believed to result in the accumulation of nitrate nitrogen (nitrates) in plants.

Kimura recommends that compost containing cow manure be fully matured by being fermented for three to five years for organic farming. The manure can be considered fully mature if radish seeds sprout and grow when planted on it. He has reported that rice and vegetables cultivated with fully matured compost showed the same results in decomposition experiments as those grown by the natural cultivation method.

Plants absorb nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth. That is why all fertilizers, both chemical and organic, contain a large amount of nitrogen. Nitrogen breaks down into nitrate nitrogen (nitrates) in soil, and then is absorbed by plants. Though useful to plants, nitrates can be harmful to human beings: infants have died from methemoglobinemia, a blood disease that can be caused by ingesting nitrates in drinking water, due to excessive intake of nitrates. Thus, people have become concerned about the contamination of soil, water and agricultural products by nitrates in fertilizers.

The EU has safety standards for nitrates contained in vegetables of up to about 2500ppm, although this varies depending on the season or kind of vegetable. In contrast, Japan has standards for tap water, but no regulations for vegetables. Some vegetables contain over 2500ppm of nitrates. Most vegetables grown with Kimura's natural cultivation method contain less than 500ppm of nitrates. Some contain only single digit levels.

The Spirit of Natural Cultivation -- Gratitude to Nature

In his lectures or books, Kimura often talks about vegetables as if they were human, saying, "Think how we can make vegetables happy," or "The vegetables may be delighted if we do this or that."

When he stopped applying pesticides, his apple trees were weakened and even seemed dead. He walked from one tree to another asking them not to die. He felt he could not speak to the trees on the roadside for fear of attracting his neighbors' attention. Oddly enough, the trees to which he did not speak died in the end.

Kimura says that everything has a spirit. He asks us to express our appreciation to crops, which provide us with the fruits of the land. Natural cultivation is pesticide- and fertilizer-free farming, but it also involves experience, knowledge of farming and, more than anything, a spirit of gratitude towards nature.

Nature keeps a perfect balance through the diversity of many creatures, and human beings are a part of nature, which also keeps us alive. I suspect that we have ended up generating diseases like cancer and allergies because we have used pesticides to eliminate insects bothersome to us, considering them pests, and polluted the earth by using fertilizers to obtain higher crop yields. Natural cultivation, which recovers the natural balance in the process of producing food, teaches us the spirit of gratitude to nature.

Natural cultivation is not easy because it takes a long time to establish the methods suitable for a certain area of farmland or crop. Yields from natural cultivation are only 70 to 80 percent of yields from conventional farming. Continuing with natural cultivation, however, makes it possible to harvest fine, safe vegetables little damaged from diseases or insect pests, even without the use of fertilizers or pesticides, which of course, need not be purchased.

A network of farmers and marketers of natural cultivation products is spreading, albeit little by little. The practice of natural cultivation has started overseas as well, for example in Korea and Taiwan. Kimura hopes that natural cultivation, which keeps people who eat or produce crops, soil, water, air and living creatures fine and healthy, will continue spreading throughout the world.

Photo courtesy of Akinori Kimura

Written by Yuriko Yoneda

Winners of 2011 Environment-Friendly Farming Competition Announced

2012-05-21T21:00:15Z

The Promotion Committee for Environment-Friendly Farming in Japan announced on February 17, 2012, eight award winners for the environment-friendly farming competition in 2011. Among those recognized were the practices of Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) in Nakasatsunai Village, Hokkaido, Japan. The committee was established to promote sustainable agriculture through keeping soil in good condition that consider reducing environmental impact caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides while utilizing material cycle systems, and balancing with productivity Showcasing excellent examples, the competition aims to stimulate consumer recognition and eventually popularize sustainable agricultural practices.

With the community-wide efforts, JA Nakasatsunai Village consequently succeeded in reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and synthetic agrochemicals by more than 50 percent in the area, through establishing the regional cycling system of organic materials and five-year crop rotation system, .which helped them win the award.

[Newsletter] Government Initiatives to Support a Sustainable Agricultural Industry in Japan

Posted: 2012/05/22 06:00:15 AM

Coca-Cola Launches Support Project for Japan's Local Water Resources

2012-05-20T21:00:15Z

On February 22, 2012, Coca-Cola Japan launched a campaign named "I LOHAS support project for local water resources" with its bottled spring water brand I LOHAS.

With I LOHAS, obtained from seven places in Japan, the company has established a donation campaign aiming at protecting local water resources in Japan. Until 2013 on an as-needed basis, the company will give back part of its sales from between March 5 and December 31, 2012, to non-profit organizations and local governments selected by 47 prefectures for their water resource protection activities, such as cleaning and greening of wellheads, tree planting, and tree thinning.

[Newsletter] Coca-Cola Japan Aiming for a Sustainable Society and Business Growth under New Global Corporate Principle: "Live Positively -- Make a Positive Difference in the World"
Tokyo Waterworks, 'Safe, Better Tasting Tap Water' Project (Related JFS article)

Posted: 2012/05/21 06:00:15 AM

LIXIL Launches New Shower that Reduces Water Use by 48%

2012-05-19T21:00:15Z

On April 2, 2012, LIXIL Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of building materials and housing equipment, started selling the water-saving "Eco-Full multifunctional shower", which can reduce water use by up to 48 percent when compared with conventional products.

The shower is equipped with new features inside the showerhead that increase water pressure, requiring less water.

LIXIL estimates that the showerhead alone can save reduce annual water and gas bills by 4,500 yen (about US $54.9) and 8,700 yen (about US $106.1), respectively and that the showerhead with on/offswitch activated can reduce these bills by 6,200 yen (about US $75.6) and 11,900 yen (about US $145.1) annually.

Posted: 2012/05/20 06:00:15 AM

Japanese Non-Life Insurance Company Supports Reforestation Efforts in Tsunami-hit Coastal Area

2012-05-18T21:00:15Z

Tokyo Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. announced on February 24, 2012, the company's decision to support and participate in the "10-Year Restoration Project for the Coastal Forests of the Tohoku Region," initiated by The Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International (OISCA), from March 2012 as part of its efforts to promote post disaster reconstruction.

A maritime forest in Sendai Plain, Miyagi Prefecture, used to protect local communities from drifting sand and salt, serving as an important natural levee for the region's environmental protection, but was seriously damaged by the catastrophic tsunami accompanying the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011.

In order to revitalize the forests, OISCA has initiated a decade-long project to not only increase production of seedlings, planting and nurturing of forests, but also restore farmlands and create employment opportunities for local citizens that will lead to comprehensive regional development and require long-term efforts.

The company will take part in the initiative by providing both economic and personnel resources, in terms of a 10 million yen (approximately US$125,000) donation, fund-raising through a charity concert, and volunteer activities by employees to assist the project.

[Newsletter] How Did the Great East Japan Earthquake Affect Ecosystems and Biodiversity?

Posted: 2012/05/19 06:00:15 AM

First Ever Plant-Derived Material Based Car Engine Part Commercialized

2012-05-17T21:00:15Z

Toyota Boshoku Corporation, a manufacturer of an automobile components and a group company of Toyota Motor Corporation, announced on February 14, 2012, that the company has successfully developed an engine-related part utilizing plant-derived material, Kenaf, for the first time. The part is already being used in one of Toyota's vehicle models since January 2012.

This newly commercialized air cleaner case was made utilizing the Kenaf fibers, an annual plant capable of absorbing a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). The material used for this part realized a 10 percent cut in weight and a 20 percent cut in CO2 emissions compared to conventional parts, containing a high ratio of 40 percent Kenaf fiber.

The company has been engaged in the development of interior components making the use of Kenaf fiber with an aim of "all automobile interior components to be made from plant-derived materials," for more than 15 years. This is the first time for the company to succeed in commercializing an engine-related part using plant fibers.

Posted: 2012/05/18 06:00:15 AM

Japanese Researchers Identify Mechanism Behind Deterioration of Organic Thin Film Solar Cells

2012-05-16T21:00:15Z

The University of Tsukuba and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) announced on March 1, 2012, that Associate Professor Kazuhiro Marumoto at the University of Tsukuba has identified how organic thin film solar cells deteriorate at the molecular level. The research results were published online in a summary edition of Advanced Energy Materials, a science journal published in Germany, on the same day.

By improving on the Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) method, Associate Professor Marumoto and his team have succeeded in developing a micro-level analysis and measurement method that makes it possible to identify the sites of structural defects in a solar cell.

Using this new method, they found out that charges having harmful effects on the initial characters of elements are created at the interface between a positive charge (positive hole) extraction layer and a pentacene layer.

The method has the advantage of enabling more accurate observation of charge states and molecular orientation in the inner structure. It is expected that the establishment of this method will greatly contribute to the development of better organic thin film solar cells, for example by allowing for clearer guidelines for materials selection, improving characteristics, and achieving higher efficiencies.

Understanding Dye-Loading Mechanism at Interface Advances Next-Generation Solar Cell Study (Related JFS article)

Posted: 2012/05/17 06:00:15 AM

Japanese NPO Starts Residential Solar Co-Ownership Project

2012-05-15T21:00:15Z

Ueda Citizen Energy, a non-profit organization (NPO) in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, started in November 2011 a unique project called Ainorikun (Japanese word meaning "car pool") for private investors to jointly install solar panels on sunny rooftop space. The NPO solicits "roof owners" to install their own panels while lending the rooftop space of their houses for "panel owners" who install the solar panels for their houses.

Both parties reap benefits: the panel owner receives income from selling electricity generated by the solar panels for 10 years after installation to cover the installation costs and then some, while the roof owner acquires ownership of the panel owners' panels 12 year after installation. Income from selling electricity generated by panel owners' panels for two years before the ownership changes will cover part of operation costs of the NPO. Panel owners can also purchase part of the ownership of a system by purchasing shares at 100,000 yen (about U.S.$1,300) a unit, and at 50,000 yen for additional ownership.

Ueda City is suitable for photovoltaic generation since it is one of sunniest areas in Japan. However, some residents there want to start solar generation but face barriers to doing so, such as poor access to direct sunlight, installation costs, and installation space. For them, the project connects those who want to increase solar power generation with those who want to lend their rooftop all over the country. Mayumi Fujikawa, the head of the NPO, hopes the project will help promote use of natural energy.

Posted: 2012/05/16 06:00:15 AM

[Newsletter] JFS Launches "Learn to Create in Tohoku" Projects: Learning from Tohoku Now and Fostering Hope for the Future

2012-05-15T05:13:23Z

JFS Newsletter No.115 (April 2012)

The Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, caused catastrophic damage in northeastern Japan, particularly in the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima. One year later, rehabilitation and reconstruction work continues in the affected areas.

While measures to alleviate the hardships faced by affected people are needed now, rehabilitation and reconstruction work must also continue in the affected areas for some time, and it is now clear that true recovery will take much longer than originally anticipated. JFS believes that during the recovery process, for years to come, it will be important for children to continue having hopes and dreams, for youth to acquire and utilize leadership skills for the reconstruction, and for people to share what they learn with the world while improving the recovery processes in the Tohoku region.

Japan for Sustainability (Chief Executive Junko Edahiro), a non-profit organization created in 2002 to disseminate information on developments and activities originating in Japan that lead toward sustainability, will launch three disaster aid projects with funds raised by Nipponkoa Insurance Co. (President/CEO Masaya Futamiya) through the "Eco-Net Agreement" and "On-Line Policy Confirmation" -- two ways customers can choose to "give back" to society when they renew their insurance policies online.

Among other activities, its work has included youth projects and the launch of a community website for children around the world to create their future, to build hope, and to support capacity building among the younger generations.

In the three prefectures most seriously affected by the 2011 disasters, JFS will conduct the following three projects to help participants take a deeper look at the current situation in Tohoku, to support children in fostering their hopes for the future, and to develop youth leadership for the recovery efforts.

Project 1: Tohoku Kids' Performance for the Future

To encourage and support children in the Tohoku region to be strong and not lose their courage and compassion in the difficult times after the disaster, JFS will support children's hopes and dreams by organizing an event performed by children in the Tokyo metropolitan area to help share their energy and insights with people around the world. The project will be implemented jointly with people in the disaster area. The process of preparing for the performance, focusing on how children feel and grow during the process, will be regularly reported on the project blog.

Project 2: Learning Journey in Tohoku

The project aims to offer students both from Tohoku and other parts of the world a learning journey about the situation in the disaster-affected areas since the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, up to the present, while meeting in person and listening to those who lived through the disaster and are working on the reconstruction. A facilitator experienced in the area of learning organizations will accompany the students, conducting dialogue along the way to draw out diverse points of view from participants and make their learning process a meaningful experience.

At the end of the journey, participants will report on what they have learned during their time in the disaster areas, along with their hopes and dreams for creating a sustainable society.

A JFS "Learn to Create in Tohoku" Project: Learning Journey in Tohoku Application Instructions for Overseas Students

Participating students will benefit from hands-on experiences encountering actual people and contexts which they wouldn't normally experience, diverse points of views within and outside of the learning group, and self and group learning process that allow them to explore their inner selves.

Additionally, the development of capacity for potential youth leaders will go a long way in designing more resilient social systems that will be needed for the recovery of Tohoku. JFS also hopes that learning harvested from the students will provide important case studies for the world to be more resilient and sustainable. In turn, learning that occur outside of Japan will give feedback and new perspectives to the Tohoku region and Japan.

To apply, please read the following information and submit the application form to Japan for Sustainability (tohokuproject[at]japanfs.org) no later than May 20, 2012 (JST). Results of the selection will be announced in early June. Successful applicants are expected to obtain a visa to Japan and travel to the nearest international airport on their own.

Project 3: Youth Leadership Development for Disaster Recovery

JFS will invite youth working for disaster recovery in the Tohoku region and hold leadership training workshops to help them realize their visions for the future. To make a future vision come true while engaging with various stakeholders, three skills are needed: systems thinking to identify leverage points of problems amid complexity, reflective dialogue skills to seek out co-creative and constructive discourse among stakeholders who have different perspectives, and visioning skills to facilitate the creation of shared visions for the future. After the workshops offered to help them gain these skills, JFS will continue in a coaching or advisory role to support participants' development as leaders in disaster recovery processes, while supporting their future activities.

JFS plans to continue working to connect the disaster-affected areas with the rest of the world through these three disaster aid projects.

We will keep you updated on the projects and we do appreciate your support.

JFS "Learn to Create in Tohoku" Projects

Written by Junko Edahiro

MOE Conducts Experiment to Collect Plastic Products at Stores

2012-05-14T21:00:15Z

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) conducted a pilot project called "PLA-PLUS Project", organized by Japan Environment PLANning Co., to collect plastic products at stores from February to March 2012. The demonstration tests aimed to resolve issues with the separation, reuse and recycling of collected plastics, and to promote recycling by building an efficient collecting system for plastic products.

Plastic containers and packages have a system for recycling under the Containers/Packaging Recycling Act, but most daily-use plastic commodities are incinerated or buried, despite containing many recyclable materials.

Six companies have agreed to participate in this experiment. For example, Tomy Co., a major toy manufacturer, will collect unwanted plastic toys at cash registers in two of its stores from February 25 to March 8, 2012.

MUJI Conducts Clothes Recycling Project, Aims for 100% Recycling (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029896.html
Japan's Top Mobile Phone Company Experiments with Closed-Loop Recycling System (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029949.html
[Newsletter] Creating a Used Clothing Recycling System in Japan
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/pages/030982.html

Posted: 2012/05/15 06:00:15 AM

When the rain stops ...

2012-05-14T06:42:11Z

Note: When the rain stops... (Some time in the not too distant future.)

* Copyright Contents
All the contents in this page has copyright.
For permission of any secondary use, please check our copyright policy and contact us at info[at]japanfs.org

On this page presented are cartoons by Professor Hiroshi Takatsuki.
These are adopted and repainted in color from his cartoon collection,
HaiKIbutsu, or precious wastes.
For more of his work, please check Highmoon's Cartoon Gallery on the
website of Miyako Ecology Center.
http://www.miyako-eco.jp/highmoon/

Author: Hiroshi TAKATSUKI Pen-name: High Moon *
Professor, Ishikawa Prefectural University
A member of the Japan Cartoonist Association

*His pen-name, High Moon, is derived from his last name, which literally means high moon in Japanese.

Eco-financing Becoming Trend among Japanese Financial Institutions

2012-05-13T21:00:15Z

An environmental non-governmental organization (NGO), called "A SEED Japan" (Action for Solidarity, Equality, and Environment and Development), released on January 9, 2012, the results of its survey on the corporate social responsibility activities of Japanese financial institutions. The survey, conducted in October 2011, garnered responses from 29 of 192 Japanese financial institutions contacted, including major city banks, regional banks, labor banks and major credit unions (credit unions with total assets over 500 billion yen, or about U.S.$6.4 billion).

In the survey category about efforts on environmental issues, many respondents named their programs and also provided quantitative information about their implementation. In their efforts on investments and loans favoring eco-friendly companies (e.g., firms with ISO 14000 certification for environmental management systems), many financial organizations, including local banks and credit unions, said they are expanding their efforts. In the category on investments and loans for environmental activities, all three major Japanese banking groups (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group) said they promote project financing for environmental businesses.

Regarding their efforts on regional economic development, the survey shows a wide variety of answers among the regional banks, which indicated that between 45 and 90 percent of their loans were within the same region. This ratio of the circulation of funds locally is an indicator to measure regional contributions.

On their efforts to provide support to social enterprises, the labor banks showed the best results in providing investments and loans to non-profit organizations. Also, the major bank groups and regional banks said they promote the creation of investment for microfinance organizations and the fostering of social entrepreneurs.

Posted: 2012/05/14 06:00:15 AM