Japanese Government Adopts Third Basic Environment Plan

The Japanese Government adopted its Third Basic Environment Plan at a Cabinet meeting on April 7, 2006. The Basic Environment Plan constitutes a general outline of Japan's environmental policies and measures; in accordance with the Basic Environment Law, it was first formulated in 1994 and revised in 2000. This third plan sets several new directions for the nation's environmental policies and lays out specific programs to be implemented with the aim of achieving new prosperity in a sustainable society.

The six new policy directions include: 1) integrated improvements in the environment, the economy, and the society focusing not only on a virtuous environment/economy circle, but also embracing social aspects; 2) sustainable management of the land and natural environment; 3) enhanced technological development and research; 4) new roles for the national government, local governments and citizens, with incentives for participation and collaboration; 5) stronger global strategic initiatives; and 6) policy formation from a long-term (e.g. 50-year) perspective.

The new plan also offers specific policy programs in 10 fields that aim to promote efforts toward a sustainable society. These strategic fields include "fighting global warming" and "biodiversity conservation,¡É as well as cross-sectoral issues such as "establishment of new systems in which environmentally responsible activities are positively rewarded in the market" and "development of human and community resources for environmental conservation." At the same time, the plan sets numerical targets and indicators to properly assess the progress of these programs and encourage their effective implementation.

http://www.env.go.jp/en/headline/headline.php?serial=45

Posted: 2006/06/30 11:09:05 PM
Japanese version