Shoji Ashikaga

Director of Waste Reduction, Waste Management Division, Waste Supply and Environmental Department, Ministry of Health and Welfare
(2-2, Kasumigaseki 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-45 Japan)

Abstract

The amount of municipal waste discarded in fiscal 1989 was about 50 million tons, and the rate of increase was 3%. Municipalities are facing many dificulties in constructing treatment facilities and landfills, and it is becoming harder to solve these problems. The key to the solution is promotion of the reduction, recycling and reuse of waste. The development of heightened citizen awareness should change attitudes and life styles, promoting separation of wastes and reuse, where possible. The objectives of the National Conference for the Promotion of Waste Reduction established in 1992 includes those specific steps, which would prove most advantageous. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) would also promote and support them. Development of a system, which requires individuals and companies to pay treatment costs in proportion to the amount of waste discarded, is one measure for the promotion of waste reduction. MHW would study measures such as waste treatment charges, deposit system, waste tax and so on.

Key words: waste reduction, national movements, general strategies proper payment