Arrangement of systems, and improvement and expansion period of the administration for prevention of pollution

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Laureen Houston
7 years ago
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1 From the early 1960 s through the early 1970 s in Tokyo Arrangement of systems, and improvement and expansion period of the administration for prevention of pollution The mid 1950 s saw an accelerating concentration of the population into Tokyo, the number of factories increased, and the environment in Tokyo noticeably worsened. Air pollutants changed from black smoke from using coal to dust and sulfur oxide from burning petroleum-based fuel. In addition, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons due to vehicle exhaust emissions became an issue. At the national level, the Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control was enacted in This includes the harmony with economic growth clause, which became a focus of criticism later due to the content of regulation being insufficient. Laws and regulations were established one after another in specific fields for which local governments already had strict ordinance; however, there was a definite limitation to the content of these laws as well. For example, even though the law concerning controls on the emission of smoke and soot (Smoke and Soot Regulation Law) was enacted in 1962 as a measure against air pollution, the scale of target facilities and control standards were inadequate. Thus, a clause allowing legislation of ordinances, in which the local governments can add new regulations to expand control targets, was added.

2 Although laws were tentatively organized during this period, the measures of the state could not prevent pollution, which was a growing concern at that time. Thus, TMG actively developed original measures at this time. TMG required larger reduction in emissions for source of pollutant than national laws mandated, and the Agreement on Pollution Control regarding the Oi Thermal Power Plant (memorandum) was made between TMG and Tokyo Electric Power Company in Then, TMG exchanged a memorandum which has a similar purpose with Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. and active administrative guidance was promoted by TMG. After the establishment of the Agreement on Pollution Control with Tokyo Electric Power Company, the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Pollution Prevention Ordinance, which unifies the three existing ordinances regarding pollution and organizes the administration for the prevention of pollution systematically, was enacted in 1969 to deal with quantitatively and qualitatively expanded pollution problems. Establishment of this ordinance had great significance on a national level as a pioneer of comprehensive regulations against pollution by local governments. Since the provisions of laws were insufficient, the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Pollution Prevention Ordinance made the necessity of TMG s original measures clear, and it was established by thorough use of the lawmaking rights of local governments. As detailed provisions, the ordinance inherited a permit system for factories and workplaces listed in the Ordinance to Prevent and Control Factory Pollution, which was established before, and expanded the permit target to other workplaces. Also, more strict fuel standards and setting up of facility standards than law mandated were institutionalized. Establishment of this ordinance had a major impact on the development of pollution control ordinance in many other local governments, and amendment and establishment of the law of the state.

3 In 1971, TMG clarified goals for each field and the Plan for Protecting Citizens of Tokyo from Pollution 1971 (planning period was 10 years) was developed as a long-term comprehensive plan to implement related measures comprehensively and systematically along with measures against sources of generation. The great significance of this plan is attempting not just to control pollution, but also to integrate a whole metropolitan government, including roads, housing and sewerage, from a point of view of preventing pollution. Improvement of basic systems was promoted in the nature conservation field as well during this period, such as the establishment of the Tokyo Metropolitan Nature Conservation Ordinance in Tokyo in The other breakthrough environmental measure in this period is an activity for implementation of exhaust emission regulation in fiscal year Stepwise vehicle exhaust emission regulation was recommended by the Central Council for Environment Pollution Control in However, the oil crisis changed the situation, and the state s move towards postponing implementation of the 1976 regulation for a long time, due to lobbying from the automobile industry, became obvious. Against this move, a Commission of Seven Major Cities Mayors including Tokyo organized an investigation team. They reached the conclusion that accomplishment of the 1976 regulation was technically possible and requested the Director-General of the Environment Agency for its full implementation. As a result, although the exhaust emission regulation was postponed for two years, it took effect from 1978.

4 Column: Signing Memorandum with Tokyo Electric Power Company Prior to the establishment of the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Pollution Ordinance, the Memorandum on Pollution Control regarding the Oi Thermal Power Plant between TMG and Tokyo Electric Power Company was made in According to the people involved with the project at the time, as the agreement was made with Tokyo Electric Power Company, TMG felt confident about the possibility and effectiveness of the Environmental Pollution Ordinance. The existing thermal power plants were the top two sulfur-dioxide emitting facilities in Tokyo, and building a new thermal power plant on a landfill site in the Oi area without creating appropriate measures for pollution was not acceptable for TMG, which was promoting measures with a view to enacting the Environmental Pollution Ordinance. At that time, every negotiation process between TMG and Tokyo Electric Power Company was reported by the media, and it became similar to a public debate. As a result, the following were listed on the memorandum and were concluded: Tokyo Electric Power Company was required to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide from both old and new thermal power plants and use low-sulfur crude oil as well as being asked to agree with TMG s right to on-site inspection, the principle of openness, and the setting up of the TMG Pollution Control Committee as a monitor. After this memorandum was concluded, TMG made a memorandum which has a similar purpose with Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. TMG took a big step toward the realization of substantive pollution control through making such agreements. This was achieved by covering the content in advance with an important party for regulations before establishment of ordinance. The key to concluding these pioneering memorandum were social agreement and support from public opinion. As for the memorandum with Tokyo Electric Power Company, their understanding for measures against pollution was a major factor as well. However, TMG would not have been able to gain negotiating power if there was not a structure in place such that debate was conducted in public, and the citizens of Tokyo paid attention to it.

5 Annual White Paper on Environment 2006 Edition (abstract) - Regulation on sulfur content of heavy oil used at factories, control of diesel vehicles and introduction of low-sulfur light oil - The TMG s Measures for Diesel Vehicles - Progress of the TMG effort in controlling diesel vehicles -

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