Manabu Hattori

Eco-office, Receipts and Disbursements Division, Administration Bureau, Shiga Prefectural Government
(4-1-1 Kyomachi Otsu-city Shiga 520-8577 Japan)

Abstract

In September 1994, promoted by the Shiga Prefectural Government Office, a big group of prominent consumers settled on the guideline for the purchase of environmentally friendly products lead all Japan and began green purchasing based on a recommendation list of eco-products clearly showing the names of the products and where they come from. Along with the changes of life style demanded by the water pollution in Lake Biwa and global environmental problems, this green purchasing has created a great sensation and has stimulated business to develop products. This green purchasing has since spread, not only in Shiga but also nationwide. Many people think that eco-products are lack variety, expensive and inferior so in order to correct that image and make it easy for the general consumer to buy the products, it is important that big groups of consumers continue to take the initiative in carrying out green purchasing.

Key words: green purchasing, a big group of consumers, a recommendation list of eco-products