Japan's Air Quality: Is The Country Polluted?

Japan's air quality is a pressing issue, with the country facing tens of thousands of pollution-related deaths annually. The primary sources of air pollution in Japan are industrial production activities, vehicle emissions, and cross-border air pollution. In 2019, more than 42,000 deaths were linked to air pollution in the country, with the most common and deadly pollutant being PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. While Japan's overall air quality is considered 'good', it does not meet WHO guidelines, and the country still ranks 97th out of 131 countries for air quality.

Fossil fuel combustion

Japan's air pollution has historically been linked to the country's rapid industrialization, with little regard for environmental protection during its high economic growth period in the 1950s. While Japan has made significant progress in reducing pollution since then, air quality remains a critical issue, particularly in major cities like Tokyo.

The primary sources of Japan's air pollution are industrial operations, vehicle emissions, and cross-border pollution, mainly from China. These sources are all related to fossil fuel combustion, which is still Japan's largest energy source, with 88% of the country's total power generation derived from fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels releases pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react with sunlight to form photochemical smog, a brown haze commonly seen over cities during the summer.

To address this issue, the Japanese government has implemented various regulations and technologies. The Air Pollution Control Law mandates that companies install dust collectors and smoke exhausts to remove particulate matter, sulphur oxides, and nitrogen oxides from exhaust gases. Additionally, Japan plans to extend the life of its fossil fuel plants by co-firing them with ammonia and hydrogen. While burning ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide, it does produce PM2.5, which is harmful to public health.

Despite these efforts, Japan continues to face challenges in reducing air pollution. A transition to renewable energy sources is necessary to combat the climate and air pollution crises simultaneously. A 2018 flagship study found that transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2050 could save Japan USD 1.1 trillion annually in energy, health, and climate costs, while also creating close to 1 million new long-term jobs.

Vehicle emissions

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the primary pollutants emitted by automobiles. These emissions have severe health and environmental impacts, and Japan has introduced various regulations to tackle this issue. The government has tightened vehicle emission standards and implemented the Air Pollution Control Law to promote resource and energy conservation.

In the past, Japan introduced two programs to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles: the Automotive NOx and PM Law and the Tokyo Retrofit Program. The former aimed to eliminate highly polluting older vehicles from certain areas, while the latter required retrofitting older diesel vehicles with emission control devices or replacing them with newer models. Additionally, diesel vehicle restrictions have been adopted by some prefectures to keep highly polluting vehicles away from designated areas, which has proven effective in improving local air quality.

To further reduce emissions, Japan is promoting the use of low-emission vehicles and encouraging the use of public transportation, walking, or biking as alternatives to driving. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to increase the number of hybrid buses and trucks, and businesses with a large fleet of vehicles are required to submit a Vehicle Emission Reduction Plan.

Japan is also addressing other short-lived climate pollutants like methane, black carbon, and HFCs. The country established the Fluorocarbon Recovery and Destruction Law in 2001, revised in 2019, to regulate fluorocarbon emissions throughout their life cycle. Additionally, Japan's 2016 Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures sets reduction targets for methane and HFCs, and the country is promoting lower-emission agricultural practices to reduce methane emissions from rice paddy fields.

Cross-border air pollution

Japan's air pollution is partly caused by cross-border air pollution from the rapidly growing Asian region. This is a significant issue for Japan as it struggles with poor air quality and its deadly consequences.

The World Bank has emphasized the importance of coordinated and collaborative efforts in addressing air pollution, with synchronized and multi-sectoral solutions across jurisdictions and borders proving to be more effective and cost-efficient. This was highlighted at the Regional Science Policy Dialogue (SPD) in Bhutan in 2024, where policymakers, scientists, and development partners gathered to discuss transboundary approaches.

The IGP-HF countries are implementing various measures to tackle air pollution, including the rollout of electric buses and e-rickshaws, mechanical composters to reduce crop burning, and the promotion of clean cooking. They are also focusing on advancing monitoring, measurement, analytics, and data-driven policy-making.

Additionally, the Southeast Asia Air Quality Community of Practice, supported by the U.S. Department of State, fosters cross-border exchange by connecting air quality experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This community provides a platform for knowledge-sharing, training, and policy master classes to enhance the capacity of participating countries to effectively monitor, manage, and improve air quality.

The recognition of cross-border air pollution and the need for collaborative solutions is crucial in addressing this complex issue, ensuring that efforts extend beyond national borders to create a more sustainable future for the entire region.

Health impacts

Air pollution in Japan has been a significant health concern, with over 40,000 premature deaths attributed to it annually. The primary sources of Japan's air pollution are industrial operations, vehicle emissions, and cross-border air pollution, mainly from China. These sources contribute to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur oxide, and nitrogen oxide.

PM2.5 refers to microscopic particles of pollution small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to severe respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In 2022, the concentration of PM2.5 in Japan was 1.8 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guideline. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 and other air pollutants can cause itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, chest pain, headaches, nausea, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. It can also cause rashes, depending on the contents of the air and an individual's susceptibility.

The health impacts of air pollution are particularly pronounced in aging societies like Japan, where almost 30% of the population is aged 65 or older. As people age, their immune systems weaken, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. Rural regions in western Japan, with older populations and less comprehensive medical infrastructure, suffer disproportionately from the health and economic impacts of air pollution.

In addition to physical health issues, air pollution in Japan has been linked to mental health problems. Exposure to air pollution has been associated with depression, anxiety, psychosis, and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. The social and economic implications of these health issues are significant, leading to increased healthcare costs and reduced workforce productivity.

While Japan has made efforts to improve air quality through regulations and pollution control programs, the current environmental standards are still considered insufficient to protect public health fully. Transitioning to clean energy and implementing stricter pollution controls are essential steps to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution in Japan.

Government initiatives

Japan's air pollution poses a serious public health risk, with tens of thousands of annual deaths attributed to poor air quality. In 2019, more than 42,000 deaths were linked to air pollution in the country, making it the leading risk factor for death in Japan that year.

The Japanese government has implemented several initiatives and regulations to tackle air pollution and improve air quality. Here are some key government initiatives:

• Air Pollution Control Law: This law aims to protect public health and the environment by regulating soot, smoke, and dust from factories and business establishments. It also includes countermeasures for hazardous air pollutants and sets limits on automobile exhaust gas emissions.
• Tightening Automobile Emission Regulations: The government has tightened regulations on vehicle emissions, particularly for high-emitting heavy-duty trucks and buses. All new diesel vehicles are now required to have diesel particulate filters.
• Zero Emissions Tokyo Strategy: In 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched this strategy with a plan to spend 74.6 billion yen to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and reduce short-lived climate pollutants. This includes measures such as increasing hybrid buses and trucks, eliminating marine and food waste, and promoting environmentally friendly infrastructure development.
• Global Facility for Quality Infrastructure Investment (QI-ESG): Launched by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation in 2018, this facility aims to increase financing for private sector partnerships in waste disposal, air pollution prevention, and green mobility solutions.
• Regulations on Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Japan has demonstrated leadership in addressing HFCs, which are potent industrial chemicals used for cooling and refrigeration. The country has stronger regulations on HFCs than most other nations and has launched initiatives to mobilize political support for action worldwide.
• Basic Environment Law: Established in 1993, this law outlines Japan's basic national policy concerning the environment, including environmental conservation and global environmental protection without consideration of borders or generations.
• Water Pollution Control Law: This law aims to prevent water pollution in public water areas by regulating effluent discharges from factories and business establishments. It also promotes measures against domestic effluents to protect the nation's health and conserve the aquatic environment.

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