Masakazu Honda

(Staff Writer of Asahi Weekly Magazine)

Abstract

The "Garbage Crisis" in megalopolises today is a fatal disease of any urban civilization, and there is no magic solution or magic technology to cure it. We cannot simply emphasize the morality of citizens to solve this problem. Instead, we should try to change the system of economic and the structure of industries, in order to make a resource-recycling society, because industries are the ones who are producing and throwing away a huge amount of garbage every day. European countries are developing and pursuing many projects so-called "the post-incinerator technology." Dividing the megalopolises into independent communities seems to be the only measure left to us now. In such communities we would increase recycling activity by combining alternative technologies according to specific local circumstances. However, some Japanese scientists and authorities depend solely on large enterprises. They have very intimate relations with incinerator manufacturers. This attitude of Japanese scientists and authorities has weakened their own power of criticism over modern technologies as well as hidered a keener insight into what's beyond the technology.

Key words: garbage crisis, resource society recycling, post incinerator technology, alternative technology