Japan's Air Pollution: Strategies And Solutions

Japan has made significant progress in reducing environmental pollution since the 1950s, but air pollution remains a serious public health risk. Fossil fuel combustion is the leading cause, with 85% of Japan's energy consumption generated by coal, oil, and gas. As a result, Japan's power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles emit harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. To address this issue, Japan is introducing new regulations, developing low-emission vehicles, and promoting renewable energy sources. However, the country has been criticized for not transitioning more rapidly to clean energy alternatives, and the health consequences of air pollution, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, remain a critical concern.

The country's air quality has improved since the 1950s

Japan's air quality has improved since the 1950s, when the country's rapid industrialisation and economic growth led to severe environmental devastation and air pollution. The Meiji government's policy of encouraging rapid industrial development without regard for environmental protection resulted in high levels of sulphur oxide (SOx) pollution, causing respiratory disorders known as Yokkaichi asthma in many residents of industrial cities.

In response to the growing awareness of poor air quality and the intensifying anti-pollution movement, the Japanese government began implementing extensive environmental protection programs in the 1970s. The Absolute Liability Law, enacted in 1972, established the Polluters Pay Principle, holding polluters accountable for their actions. This was followed by the implementation of the Pollution-Related Health Damage Compensation Law, which provided compensation for victims of pollution-related health issues.

Japan's postwar environmental policy can be divided into three phases: 1945 to 1970, marked by rapid economic growth and unbridled pollution; 1970 to 1989, characterised by the successful implementation of environmental protection laws; and since 1990, a shift towards a focus on global environmental issues. During the 1980s, Japan improved its air quality, water quality, and energy efficiency, although nature protection remained lacking.

The Air Pollution Control Law, introduced to regulate sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides emissions, has led to a significant improvement in air quality. Companies are now obliged to install dust collectors to remove particulate matter and smoke exhausts to reduce sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Additionally, the "Automobile NOx / PM Law" aims to reduce pollutants emitted from vehicles, with a particular focus on promoting the use of electric vehicles, which produce fewer pollutant emissions.

Despite these improvements, Japan still faces challenges in addressing air pollution. In 2019, more than 42,000 deaths were linked to air pollution in the country, and in 2022, concentrations of PM2.5, the most common and deadly pollutant, were 1.8 times higher than the WHO air quality guideline. Japan's economy remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which generate almost 85% of its energy consumption, contributing to climate and air pollution. However, efforts to curb carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in the transportation sector through a "modal shift" to railroads and shipping are being gradually introduced.

Fossil fuels are the leading cause of air pollution

Japan's economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which generate almost 85% of its energy consumption. The combustion of fossil fuels releases air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment, which produce harmful ozone (O3). As a result, the widespread combustion of coal, oil, and gas in Japan's power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles is the leading driver of its environmental pollution.

The combustion of coal, in particular, is a potent source of climate and air pollution. With 92 operational coal-fired power plants, Japan is the world's fourth-largest producer of coal-fired electricity. Oil releases a huge amount of carbon when burned, accounting for approximately one-third of the world's total carbon emissions. Natural gas, while promoted as a cleaner energy source, is still a fossil fuel and accounts for a fifth of the world's total carbon emissions.

The transportation sector, mainly powered by petrol or diesel combustion engines, is another major source of air pollution in Japan, especially in highly populated urban areas. However, new regulations regarding air pollutant exclusion standards are being introduced, along with the development and introduction of low-emission vehicles and energy-saving aircraft. The spread of electric vehicles is also attracting attention as a countermeasure to nitric oxide emissions, as they do not emit any exhaust gas and produce fewer pollutant substances and CO2 than ordinary gasoline-powered vehicles.

The health impacts of fossil fuel pollution are significant, especially for children and vulnerable communities. Fossil-fuel combustion by-products are the world's most significant threat to children's health and future, impairing cognitive and behavioral development and increasing respiratory illnesses and other chronic diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds safe levels, and air pollution was responsible for almost one in five deaths globally in 2018. In Japan, more than 42,000 deaths were linked to air pollution in 2019, with PM2.5 being the leading risk factor for death.

Transportation is a major contributor to air pollution

Japan's economy relies heavily on fossil fuels, which generate almost 85% of its energy consumption. The combustion of fossil fuels releases air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment, which produces harmful ozone (O3). While these pollutants are decreasing annually due to source regulations, the transportation sector, powered mainly by petrol or diesel combustion engines, is a major contributor to air pollution, especially in highly populated urban areas.

Road transport accounted for approximately 21% of total anthropogenic NOx emissions in Japan in 2019, with other mobile sources, power stations, and industrial combustion contributing 25%, 15%, and 32% respectively. The combustion of petrol and diesel in vehicles emits vast quantities of climate-heating greenhouse gases (GHGs) and deadly air pollutants, contributing to global warming and air pollution. In 2019, more than 42,000 deaths in Japan were linked to air pollution, with the country considered to have a high death rate due to polluted air.

To address this issue, Japan has introduced regulations such as tightening automobile emission standards and promoting the spread of low-emission vehicles. The "Automobile NOx / PM Law", a special law aimed at reducing pollutants emitted from vehicles, has led to the development and introduction of low-emission vehicles and energy-saving aircraft in the transportation, railway, and aviation industries. The law also encourages a "modal shift" in logistics, moving freight transportation to railroads and shipping, which have a lower environmental impact.

In addition to these measures, some prefectures have implemented diesel vehicle registration restrictions and low-emission zones, keeping highly polluting diesel trucks and buses away from designated areas. The adoption of clean vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), is also being promoted. For those who use automobiles and motorcycles for commuting, switching to public transportation, walking, or biking would significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality.

While Japan has made progress in reducing air pollution from the transportation sector, more specific road sector policies and efforts beyond road transport are needed to achieve the new WHO air quality targets.

Water pollution has decreased since the 1950s

Water pollution has been a significant concern since the Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century, which introduced new sources of water pollution. By the 1950s, the effects of these changes were being felt worldwide. However, various factors have contributed to a decrease in water pollution since that time.

One significant factor is the emergence of environmental movements and legislation aimed at reducing water pollution. The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972 in the United States, has played a crucial role in improving water quality. This legislation has held polluters accountable and ensured that industrial and municipal facilities adhere to permitted pollution levels. While water pollution remains an issue, the United States now has relatively clean and safe drinking water compared to many other parts of the world.

Another factor contributing to the decrease in water pollution is the implementation of water conservation measures and improvements in water-use efficiency. Since 1950, irrigation water use has increased by about 29% to meet the food demands of a growing population. However, overall water use in the United States peaked in 1980 and has remained relatively steady since, despite increasing stresses for greater water use. This stability indicates that water conservation efforts and efficient water use practices have had positive outcomes.

Additionally, the development and introduction of new technologies have played a role in reducing water pollution. For example, the transportation, railway, and aviation industries are adopting low-emission vehicles and energy-saving aircraft, reducing the environmental impact of these sectors. The spread of electric vehicles is particularly noteworthy, as they emit fewer pollutants and carbon dioxide than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

While water pollution has decreased since the 1950s, it is still a pressing issue that requires ongoing attention. Water is highly vulnerable to pollution, and toxic substances from farms, towns, and factories can easily dissolve into and contaminate water sources. With increasing global demand for freshwater, addressing water pollution and promoting sustainable water use remain crucial challenges for the future.

Japan is criticised for not transitioning to renewable energy

Japan has made significant progress in reducing environmental pollution since the 1950s. However, air pollution remains a critical issue, with over 42,000 deaths linked to it in 2019. Fossil fuel combustion is the leading cause, with coal, oil, and gas-fired power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles contributing to the problem.

Japan's economy heavily relies on fossil fuels, which generate almost 85% of its energy consumption. As a result, the country has been criticised for not transitioning to renewable energy sources more quickly. The Japanese government's plans to extend the life of fossil fuel plants by co-firing them with ammonia and hydrogen have faced scrutiny, as burning ammonia can lead to a rise in PM2.5 air pollution.

PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, is the most common and deadly pollutant in Japan. It can penetrate the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and affect major organs, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. The health impacts of air pollution extend beyond physical ailments, with research indicating that exposure can contribute to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and neurocognitive disorders.

To address air pollution, Japan has introduced new regulations in the transportation, railway, and aviation industries, along with the development and implementation of low-emission vehicles and energy-saving aircraft. Efforts to curb carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions through a "modal shift" to railroads and shipping in the logistics industry are also underway. However, a more comprehensive solution lies in transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing pollution rates, and combating climate change.

Japan's history with pollution dates back to the Meiji government's policy era, when rapid industrial development took precedence. This led to severe environmental degradation, including the infamous Minamata disease incident in the 1960s. While Japan has since implemented stringent environmental regulations, reducing pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, the country continues to face challenges in addressing modern pollution issues, such as microplastic contamination and urban air quality.

Frequently asked questions