Research Finds Nagano as Greenest Prefecture in Japan

Brand Research Institute Inc. (BRI), a Japanese company specializing in research and consulting services on corporate and regional brands, conducted an online survey on green efforts by each prefecture, and recently released the results of the survey. The survey targeted 21,269 people across the nation, and was conducted between September 26 and 29, 2008.

BRI chose at least 200 respondents in each prefecture for the survey and calculated the scores on residents' efforts by prefecture based on questions about 13 environmentally-friendly lifestyles. Questions included "Do you make sure to separate recyclable waste?" and "Do you set air conditioners at moderate temperatures?"

Ranked first was Nagano Prefecture, an active promoter of an environmental management system for government offices and businesses across the prefecture known as Eco Action 21, followed by Kyoto, where Japan's first ordinance on global warming was established. Tokyo was ranked third and Shiga fourth for its effort in improving water quality of Lake Biwa.

In terms of individual categories, however, prefecture rankings were considerably different. For example, Toyama came in as the top prefecture in the use of eco-bags, Nagasaki was tops in water conservation, and Okinawa was the leader in terms of people's efforts to switch to eco-friendly products.

Posted: 2009/04/03 06:00:15 AM