Air Pollution's Impact: Japan's Battle Against The Invisible

Air pollution in Japan has been a concern since the Meiji Period, with the Ashio Copper Mine case being known as the country's first pollution incident. The issue has only grown since, with the country's rapid industrialization and urbanization leading to increased emissions from factories, vehicles, and power plants. This has resulted in serious health issues for residents, including respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis, and even deaths. While Japan has made efforts to improve air quality and tighten regulations, it still faces challenges, particularly in densely populated cities like Tokyo, and from transboundary pollution.

Fossil fuel combustion

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) are two of the most common air pollutants produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. NOx emissions in Asia have been increasing, and Japan, being in the Asian region, is affected by this rise. NOx emissions contribute to the formation of harmful ground-level ozone (O3), which can have negative impacts on human health and the environment. While Japan has implemented regulations to reduce NOx and VOC emissions, cross-border air pollution from neighbouring countries continues to impact its air quality.

The combustion of fossil fuels in thermal power plants, factories, and vehicles has been a major source of air pollution in Japan. The country's rapid industrialisation and increasing energy demands have resulted in higher fossil fuel consumption, leading to increased emissions of pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter (PM). Automobiles, in particular, have been a significant contributor to air pollution in Japan, with vehicle exhaust gases being a primary concern in densely populated cities like Tokyo. The concentration of traffic and the rising number of vehicles owned by individuals have exacerbated this issue.

To address the problem of air pollution from fossil fuel combustion, Japan has implemented various measures. These include tightening automobile emission regulations, introducing the Air Pollution Control Law, and promoting resource-saving and energy-saving initiatives. While these efforts have led to a decrease in certain pollutants, such as suspended particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground-level ozone (O3) remains a challenge due to cross-border air pollution.

The health impacts of fossil fuel combustion are significant, particularly for children and vulnerable populations. Fossil fuel air pollution has been linked to respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, with poor air quality exacerbating existing respiratory conditions. Additionally, the combustion of fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants that can cause short-term symptoms such as itchy eyes, nose and throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, and headaches. There are also long-term health consequences, including an increased risk of respiratory infections and potentially more severe impacts on foetal and child development.

Vehicle exhaust

In the context of vehicle emissions, Japan has implemented various measures to reduce air pollution since the 1960s. Motor vehicle exhaust emission regulations were first enforced in 1966, targeting carbon monoxide emissions from ordinary-sized and small-sized gasoline-fuelled motor vehicles. Over time, these regulations were expanded to include mini-sized motor vehicles, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles, and diesel-powered motor vehicles. The list of controlled substances was also continually updated, and permissible concentrations were made stricter.

Despite these efforts, air pollution caused by vehicle exhaust remains a pressing issue. This is particularly evident in large cities with high traffic volume, such as Tokyo, where residents have developed health issues like bronchial asthma, likely attributed to air pollution. The increase in the number of cars owned and the concentration of traffic contribute significantly to the problem.

To address this, the Japanese government has introduced tighter regulations on automobile exhaust gases, aiming to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other pollutants. The promotion of low-emission vehicles and the use of public transportation, walking, or biking are also encouraged to mitigate vehicle exhaust emissions. Additionally, the Air Pollution Control Law, enforced since 1974, plays a crucial role in regulating air pollutants from both mobile and stationary sources.

The Japanese government's "Future Policy for Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emission Reduction" outlines further measures to be implemented. These include the reduction of hydrocarbons, the introduction of exhaust emission control standards for two-wheeled motor vehicles, and the employment of low-benzene gasoline. The Experts Committee has also conducted studies and evaluated technological advancements to support comprehensive improvements in the atmospheric environment.

Industrial manufacturing

Japan's rapid industrialisation, particularly after World War II, has had a significant impact on the country's environment, with a large amount of pollutants emitted due to the massive increase in industrial manufacturing. The Meiji government's policy era encouraged rapid industrial development, but pollution was not a priority, and the problem intensified during the period of high economic growth in the 1950s and 1960s.

In the 1950s, a large amount of oil and coal were burned to provide energy for post-war reconstruction and boost national income. Sulphur oxides (SOx) became a serious issue, causing respiratory disorders in industrial cities, known as Yokkaichi asthma. The burning of petroleum and crude oil at oil refineries and petrochemical factories led to chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and pulmonary emphysema in Yokkaichi residents. This period also saw the emergence of Minamata disease, caused by industrial pollution, particularly from the Ashio Copper Mine.

In the 1960s, the Japanese government announced plans to double the national income in a decade, linking four major industrial zones into the Pacific Industrial Belt Concept. This pursuit of rapid industrialisation resulted in environmental devastation and frequent, severe pollution. Air pollution was so bad in some areas that visibility was reduced to 50 meters. Sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulates were the main pollutants, causing serious respiratory ailments. The government's focus on economic growth without proper pollution control measures had negative consequences for public health and the environment.

To address these issues, Japan has implemented robust pollution control programs and tightened regulations around industrial emissions. The Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control, enacted in 1967, was a response to growing pollution opposition movements. The government has also made significant investments in recycling and waste management technologies, such as the revised recycling law introduced in 2022, aiming for a 60% plastic recycling rate by 2030. These efforts have led to a marked decrease in pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, with sulphur dioxide emissions dropping significantly from the 1960s to the late 1990s.

Respiratory diseases

Air pollution in Japan has had a significant impact on the respiratory health of its population. The problem of air pollution in Japan dates back to the Meiji government's policy era, when rapid industrial development was encouraged without consideration for environmental consequences. The issue became more severe during the period of high economic growth in the 1950s, when increased burning of oil and coal to meet energy demands led to high levels of sulphur oxide (SOx) pollution. This resulted in a rise in respiratory disorders, particularly in industrial cities. The condition, known as Yokkaichi asthma, affected 5-10% of inhabitants aged 40 in Yokkaichi, with chronic bronchitis being the most prevalent symptom.

Long-term exposure to air pollution in Japan has been linked to an increased risk of developing respiratory diseases, including asthma and bronchitis. Higher concentrations of particulate matter, such as PM2.5, during certain seasons, especially from March to May, can have detrimental health effects. Short-term symptoms of air pollution exposure include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, chest pain, headaches, nausea, and upper respiratory infections.

In addition to the direct impact on respiratory health, air pollution in Japan has also been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Studies have found a link between long-term exposure to air pollution and lung cancer mortality, particularly in urban areas. The impact of air pollution on respiratory health has led to the establishment of a network of ambient air monitoring stations operated by the Ministry of Environment and local governments since the 1970s.

Furthermore, air pollution has been implicated in the spread of airborne respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, it was observed that air pollution significantly increased the daily growth rate of the virus. However, the effects of air pollution on influenza healthcare visits in Japan were found to be insignificant.

The Japanese government has taken steps to address air pollution, such as introducing tighter regulations on automobile exhaust gases and implementing the Air Pollution Control Law. These measures have led to a decline in annual average concentrations of particulate matter and improvements in air quality. However, the problem of air pollution persists, particularly in urban areas with high traffic congestion and industrial activity.

Environmental standards

Japan's history of environmental standards for air pollution began in the Meiji Period with the Ashio Copper Mine case, known as the first pollution case in Japan. In the post-World War II era, Japan's rapid industrialisation and economic expansion led to severe air pollution, triggering terrible pollution-related diseases, including Minamata disease and Yokkaichi asthma. This prompted the enactment of the Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control in 1967 to promote comprehensive and systematic pollution control measures. The Air Pollution Control Act was passed in 1968, followed by the establishment of SO2 standards in 1969, total volume control for SOx in 1974, the addition of a NO2 standard in 1978, and total volume control for NOx in 1981.

The Japanese government continues to introduce tighter regulations, such as the Basic Environmental Law, to address air pollution from vehicles, factories, and power plants. The Ministry of the Environment promotes emission control measures, including automobile exhaust emission controls and encouraging low-emission vehicles. While there has been a general decline in annual average PM2.5 concentrations due to these regulations, air pollution remains a significant issue, particularly in cities like Tokyo, where it has caused respiratory diseases and exacerbated asthma and bronchitis.

The National Institute for Environmental Studies reports that cross-border air pollution from neighbouring Asian countries, particularly China, contributes to Japan's air quality issues. This has led to an increase in ground-level ozone and nitric oxide emissions, despite overall decreasing trends in Japan due to source regulations.

To further improve air quality, Japan is focusing on implementing and strengthening measures to control fine particulate matter and photochemical oxidants, analysing progress, and reassessing strategies if needed. The country is also committed to international initiatives like the OECD's Environmental Performance Reviews, which aim to enhance environmental management and accountability among member countries.

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