Japan's Air Pollution: A Health Crisis

Japan's air pollution is a serious public health crisis, causing tens of thousands of deaths annually. In 2019, more than 42,000 deaths were linked to air pollution, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) being the leading risk factor. This pollutant, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, can penetrate the lungs, enter the bloodstream and impact all major organs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. While Japan's air quality has shown improvement in recent years, the country still faces challenges due to industrial production, vehicle emissions, and cross-border pollution. The combustion of fossil fuels, particularly in power plants and vehicles, remains a significant contributor to air pollution, with Japan being the world's fourth-largest producer of coal-fired electricity.

Fossil fuel combustion

Japan's economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which generate almost 85% of its energy consumption. This widespread combustion of coal, oil, and gas in power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles is the leading driver of the country's environmental pollution. With 92 operational coal-fired power plants, Japan is the world's fourth-largest producer of coal-fired electricity. The transportation sector, mainly powered by petrol or diesel combustion engines, is also a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in highly populated urban areas.

The combustion of fossil fuels releases air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). NOx is also generated when automobile engines and boilers in factories are heated, causing nitrogen and oxygen in the air to combine. These pollutants have harmful effects on the lungs and can cause health issues such as bronchitis, asthma, headaches, breathing difficulties, and painful irritation of the eyes and throat.

In addition to the health impacts, the combustion of fossil fuels also contributes to global warming and climate change. The burning of coal, oil, and gas emits vast quantities of climate-heating greenhouse gases (GHGs) and deadly air pollutants. Fossil fuel pollution was responsible for almost one-fifth of global deaths in 2018, and Japan is no exception, with over 40,000 premature deaths linked to air pollution annually.

To address these issues, Japan has introduced tighter regulations on automobile emissions and environmental standards for industries. However, the current measures are still insufficient, and there is criticism for the country's reluctance to transition to renewable energy sources. A shift towards domestic renewable energy sources is necessary to reduce pollution rates and combat climate change effectively.

While Japan has made some progress in improving its air quality, with a decrease in PM2.5 levels between 2017 and 2019, the country still faces modern pollution challenges. Tokyo, for example, continues to experience high levels of PM2.5, sulphur oxide, and nitrogen oxide, with readings above the World Health Organization's safety threshold.

Industrial production activities

Japan's economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which generate almost 85% of its energy consumption. The combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, in power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles, is a significant contributor to air pollution in the country. Japan has 92 operational coal-fired power plants, making it the world's fourth-largest producer of coal-fired electricity. This widespread use of fossil fuels has severe environmental and health impacts.

The history of air pollution in Japan can be traced back to the Meiji government's policy era, when rapid industrial development was encouraged without considering the environmental consequences. This problem intensified during the period of high economic growth in the 1950s, when a large amount of oil and coal were burned to meet the energy demands of post-war reconstruction and to boost national income. As a result, many residents in industrial cities suffered from respiratory disorders, such as Yokkaichi asthma.

To address air pollution from industrial production activities, Japan has implemented various measures and regulations. The Air Pollution Control Law regulates SOx and NOx emissions, and companies are required to install dust collectors to separate and remove particulate matter. Other technologies, such as desulphurisation and flue gas denitrification, are also being utilized to further reduce emissions. While these efforts have led to improvements, there is still a need to reduce energy consumption during the production phase and transition towards renewable energy sources to achieve significant reductions in air pollution levels.

The Japanese government has recognized the seriousness of air pollution and has taken steps to address it. The Basic Environmental Law, which serves as the national guideline for environmental policies, lists air pollution as the first of the seven major types of pollution. The government has also passed bills related to pollution-related laws and regulations, such as the Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control and its amendments. These legislative efforts demonstrate Japan's commitment to tackling air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.

Vehicle emissions

Japan's economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for about 85% of its energy consumption. The combustion of fossil fuels in power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles is a major contributor to air pollution in the country. While Japan has made efforts to improve air quality, vehicle emissions remain a significant issue.

The increase in the number of vehicles, as well as the concentration of traffic in big cities, exacerbates the problem. Exhaust gases from vehicles release pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. These pollutants contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (O3), which is harmful to human health and the environment.

To address vehicle emissions, the Japanese government has introduced tighter regulations on automobile exhaust gases. However, the current environmental standards set by the government are still insufficient to effectively protect health and the environment. The government needs to implement more stringent measures to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.

Additionally, Japan's plan to extend the life of its fossil fuel plants by co-firing them with ammonia and hydrogen has faced criticism. While burning ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide, it contributes to the formation of PM2.5, which poses risks to public health. A transition to renewable energy sources is necessary to tackle the climate and air pollution crises simultaneously.

Cross-border air pollution

Japan's air quality has improved in recent years, with a US AQI reading of 47 in early 2021, placing it in the "Good" category according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. However, air pollution remains a serious issue, with over 42,000 deaths linked to it in 2019. The country's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector, is a significant contributor to this problem.

One of the main sources of air pollution in Japan is industrial production activities, with sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from factories and thermal power plants. In addition, vehicle emissions from the country's large number of automobiles also play a role. To address these issues, the Japanese government has implemented tighter regulations on automobile emissions and dust collectors in factories.

However, another significant factor in Japan's air pollution is cross-border pollution from the rapidly growing Asian region. The combustion of fossil fuels in neighbouring countries releases pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are then carried by winds to Japan, impacting its air quality. This issue highlights the need for regional cooperation and coordinated solutions to effectively tackle transboundary air pollution.

South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Pakistan, are actively addressing air pollution through various initiatives. These include the promotion of cleaner modes of transport, the use of electric buses and e-rickshaws, and the implementation of mechanical composters to reduce crop burning. Recognizing that isolated efforts are insufficient, there is a growing consensus among these countries for transboundary and multisectoral approaches that involve knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, and collaborative funding initiatives to combat air pollution effectively and accelerate progress toward achieving National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The World Bank estimates that coordinated measures across sectors and borders within South Asia are significantly more cost-effective than ad hoc measures undertaken in isolation. This emphasizes the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing transboundary air pollution, such as that affecting Japan from neighbouring regions. By working together and implementing synchronized solutions, countries can more effectively tackle regional air pollution and improve the health and well-being of their citizens.

Public health risks

Air pollution in Japan poses a serious public health risk, with more than 42,000 deaths linked to air pollution in 2019. Japan's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which generate almost 85% of its energy consumption, is the leading driver of its environmental pollution. The combustion of fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the formation of photochemical smog and ground-level ozone (O3). This type of smog is a mixture of pollutants that react to sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities, particularly during the summer months when sunlight is more abundant.

The health impacts of air pollution are significant and far-reaching. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, is the most common and deadly pollutant. Its small size allows it to penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, affecting all major organs. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to various respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, including stroke, lung cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 2019, PM2.5 was ranked as Japan's leading risk factor for death, and the concentrations of this pollutant were 1.8 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guidelines.

Additionally, air pollution has been associated with severe consequences for mental health. Research has found that exposure to polluted air can lead to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. The impact of air pollution on mental health adds to the public health crisis caused by Japan's poor air quality, resulting in tens of thousands of annual deaths.

While Japan has made some efforts to improve air quality, such as tightening automobile emission regulations, the environmental standards set by the government have been criticized as insufficient to protect public health effectively. The country's plans to extend the life of its fossil fuel plants have also faced criticism, as they may lead to a significant increase in PM2.5 air pollution, further exacerbating the public health risks associated with air pollution.

Furthermore, Japan also experiences cross-border air pollution from the rapidly growing Asian region, particularly from neighbouring countries with high industrial development. This external source of pollution makes it challenging for Japan to improve its air quality and protect its citizens from the adverse health effects of air pollution.

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