Air Pollution's Deadly Toll In Japan

Air pollution is a serious issue in Japan, causing a significant number of deaths each year. In 2019, it was estimated that over 42,000 deaths could be attributed to air pollution in the country, making it one of the nations with a high death rate linked to polluted air. The main sources of this pollution are industrial production, vehicle emissions, and cross-border pollution, with fossil fuel combustion being the leading driver. This has led to a range of health issues for residents, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, as well as potential mental health problems. While Japan has taken some steps to address air pollution, such as implementing regulations and promoting waste reduction, the government has been criticised for its slow progress in abandoning fossil fuels.

Fossil fuel combustion

Japan's energy mix is dominated by fossil fuels, which accounted for about 87% of the country's energy consumption in 2019, with petroleum contributing a significant share (40%) of overall energy usage. Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 2011, Japan was forced to abandon nuclear energy, which previously accounted for about 13% of its total energy use, and further increase its reliance on fossil fuels. As a result, the country became one of the largest carbon dioxide emitters globally, with fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes producing 944 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) in 2023.

The transportation sector, powered mainly by petrol or diesel combustion engines, is a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in highly populated urban areas. In 2019, naphtha, diesel, and gasoline accounted for the majority of the country's oil product market. Japan is also the world's fourth-largest producer of coal-fired electricity, with 92 operational coal-fired power plants.

The effects of air pollution on health are significant. Air pollutants can invade the lungs and enter the bloodstream, affecting all major organs. This can lead to various respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, including asthma, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart attacks, and strokes. Air pollution has also been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia.

To address the air pollution crisis, Japan has adopted a new decarbonization strategy as of February 2023, aiming to reduce its use of fossil fuels and increase its share of nuclear and renewable energy. While these measures have started to show a downward trend in greenhouse gas emissions, critics argue that Japan's climate ambitions remain weak and that more concrete GHG reduction targets are needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Health risks

Air pollution poses a serious public health risk in Japan, with tens of thousands of deaths attributed to poor air quality each year. In 2019, there were an estimated 42.6 thousand deaths caused by air pollution, making Japan a country with a high death rate from polluted air. This figure has risen continuously since 2010, underscoring the severity of the issue.

The primary source of air pollution in Japan is fossil fuel combustion, particularly from coal, oil, and gas. Japan is the world's fourth-largest producer of coal-fired electricity, with 92 operational coal-fired power plants. The transportation sector, powered mainly by petrol or diesel combustion engines, is another major contributor, especially in highly populated urban areas. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the most common and deadly pollutant, with concentrations in 2022 reported to be 1.8 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline.

The health risks associated with air pollution exposure in Japan are significant. Short-term symptoms of exposure to air pollution include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, chest pain, headaches, nausea, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The long-term effects of air pollution exposure are even more concerning, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart attacks, and strokes are all linked to poor air quality. Additionally, air pollution has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia.

Pregnant women, children under 14, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the health risks posed by air pollution. The concentration levels and duration of exposure also play a crucial role in determining health outcomes. The Japanese government has recognized the urgency of addressing air pollution and has implemented measures to improve air quality, such as tightening automobile emission regulations and transitioning to renewable energy sources. However, Japan's decarbonization strategy has been criticized for lacking concrete greenhouse gas reduction targets and promoting "clean coal" technologies.

While efforts to improve air quality in Japan are ongoing, the country continues to face significant health risks associated with air pollution. It is imperative that comprehensive measures are taken to reduce fossil fuel combustion, transition to cleaner energy sources, and enforce stringent emission regulations to mitigate the adverse health impacts of air pollution on the Japanese population.

Industrial production activities

Japan's history of air pollution dates back to the Meiji government's policy era, which encouraged rapid industrial development without considering the environmental implications. This problem intensified during the post-World War II period and the high economic growth phase in the 1950s, when a large amount of oil and coal were burned to meet energy demands and boost national income. The pollution, primarily from sulphur oxides (SOx), led to respiratory disorders, with Osaka earning the moniker, the "Smoke Capital."

One of the notable pollution-related diseases caused by industrial activities is Yokkaichi asthma. The emission of sulphur dioxide (SO2) from heavy chemical industries in the 1960s triggered the Yokkaichi asthma outbreak, a major pollution-related disease. Additionally, the frequent formation of photochemical smog in the 1970s, especially in the Kanto and Kinki regions, further exacerbated respiratory issues.

To address these issues, Japan has implemented various measures and regulations. The Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control, enacted in the 1960s, aimed to comprehensively address pollution control. The Pollution-Related Health Damage Compensation Law, enacted in 1973, provides medical and livelihood assistance to those suffering from pollution-induced illnesses. The Air Pollution Control Law regulates sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from factories and thermal power plants, requiring companies to install dust collectors and utilize technologies like desulphurization.

Despite these efforts, air pollution from industrial production activities remains a concern. The energy conversion sector, relying on natural gas and coal for electricity generation, is the main polluting sector in Japan. The combustion of fossil fuels in power plants, industrial facilities, and automobiles releases nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing to ground-level ozone and harmful health effects.

Vehicle emissions

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from automobiles are a serious concern. These emissions, which are a result of vehicle mobility, have detrimental effects on air quality and public health. To address this issue, the Japanese government has implemented measures such as tightening automobile emission regulations and promoting the use of low-emission vehicles. However, the environmental standards set by the government have been criticised as insufficient, and there is a need for further reductions in emissions.

Automobile exhaust fumes contribute to the fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which has severe health implications. This pollutant can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, affecting major organs and leading to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, including stroke, lung cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The World Bank estimates that illness and premature death due to PM2.5 alone cost the global economy USD 8 trillion annually.

In addition to national measures, some prefectures have implemented diesel vehicle registration restrictions and low-emission zones to keep highly polluting vehicles away from designated areas. These interventions have shown positive results in improving local air quality. However, it is important to recognise that the road sector is not the sole contributor to pollution, and efforts beyond road transport are necessary to address the overall air pollution crisis in Japan.

While Japan has made some progress in reducing vehicle emissions, the country still faces challenges in transitioning to cleaner energy sources and improving air quality. The government's decarbonisation strategies have been criticised for lacking concrete targets and promoting "clean coal" technologies. Nonetheless, initiatives such as the promotion of electric vehicles and the use of low-sulphur content fuels by power companies are steps towards mitigating the impact of vehicle emissions on air pollution in Japan.

Cross-border air pollution

Japan's poor air quality is causing a serious public health crisis, with tens of thousands of deaths each year. In 2019, over 42,000 deaths were linked to air pollution, making Japan a country with a high death rate from polluted air. Fossil fuel combustion is the leading driver of harmful air pollution in Japan, and transitioning to clean energy is crucial for improving public health and addressing the climate crisis.

One of the main sources of air pollution in Japan is fixed sources such as factories and power plants, which emit pollutants like sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The problem of air pollution in Japan dates back to the Meiji government's policy era, when rapid industrial development took precedence over environmental concerns. While the country has made significant progress in improving air quality since then, certain areas, particularly highly populated urban areas, continue to face challenges.

The impact of cross-border air pollution is evident in the Yunnan Plateau (YP) in Southwest China, where air pollution episodes have been linked to the cross-border transport of PM2.5 from Southeast Asian biomass burning (BB) emissions. Studies have utilized satellite data and modelling techniques to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of PM2.5 concentrations, providing valuable insights into the impact of cross-border pollution on regions with relatively clean atmospheres.

To address cross-border air pollution in Asia, countries are exploring various measures to leverage funding and investment opportunities. This includes innovative financing, public-private partnerships, and fiscal policies that promote greener technologies. However, chronic underfunding remains a challenge, with only 0.7% of international development funding allocated to tackling ambient air pollution between 2015 and 2022.

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