Japan for Sustainability

Kyushu University Research Team Discloses Plans for a Mega Hybrid Power Plant on the Ocean

2009-01-08T21:00:15Z

Kyushu University announced details for a large-scale hybrid power generation system on the ocean, on July 8, 2008. This is the world's first research and development project of this kind, and will be jointly conducted by the University's Graduate School of Engineering and a research group studying super carbon fiber (SCF), a new carbon-fiber material.

]]> The system will consist of two main floating bodies made of SCF concrete and numerous sub-floating bodies placed at regular intervals. The floating units are flexible, like water lilies, as they are loosely connected by newly developed materials that are resistant to impact, corrosion and abrasion. Each sub-floating body will be equipped with highly corrosion-resistant solar panels, while the main bodies will be loaded with large-scale wind turbines with wind lenses. This enables hybrid power generation incorporating photovoltaic and wind power.

The SCF concrete floating bodies are cheap, strong and rustproof, and have a hexagonal truss structure with a channel. The semi-submarine style gives them good wave stability and decreases the tide inhibition rate. Construction costs are projected to be 100,000 to 150,000 yen (about $952 to $1429) per kilowatt (kW), which is far lower than the break even point of 250,000 yen (about $2381) per kW for wind power generation by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

The research team explained that the system will enable at-sea generation at the one-million-kilowatt level within ten years. The team also noted that generating and storing large amounts of hydrogen from sea water can lay the foundation for a recycling-hydrogen society.

- Kyusyu University
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/english/index.php

Posted: 2009/01/09 06:00:15 AM

Development of Highly Efficient Light Fixtures Underway

2009-01-07T21:00:15Z

Image by idua_japan. Some Rights Reserved.

The Japanese government announced on October 28, 2008, its measures and policies on energy saving during the winter season, calling on citizens to set temperatures of heaters for rooms at about 20 degrees Celsius. Also urged was a switch from incandescent to fluorescent light bulbs, particularly when buying new products. The cabinet decided on July 29, 2008, to switch conventional home lighting to energy-saving systems, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2012. About 16 percent of home electricity consumption is for lighting in Japan.

]]> Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp. of Japan announced that it will stop the production of regular incandescent light bulbs by the end of fiscal 2010 in order to contribute to carbon dioxide reductions. Thus, highly efficient lighting is rapidly being developed.

Fluorescent light bulbs recommended by the government consume about 80 percent less power and last 6 to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

Furthermore, next-generation light-emitting diode (LED) lighting consumes less power, lasts longer and therefore saves more resources than incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs. For example, a highly efficient LED light bulb consumes 35 percent less power than CFLs with a life expectancy of about 40,000 hours or 10 years and delivering the same brightness as conventional lighting.

- MITI official website
http://www.meti.go.jp/english/index.html
- Matsushita Releases High Efficiency LED Lights, Achieves Large Power Reductions (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027161.html
- Toshiba to Discontinue Incandescent Bulb Production by End of Fiscal 2010 (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027109.html
- Tokyo Steps up Campaign to Eliminate Incandescent Lights (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026912.html

Posted: 2009/01/08 06:00:15 AM

26 Students Join Minamata Environmental University

2009-01-06T21:00:15Z

Minamata City of Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan conducted a six-day program called Minamata Environmental University from September 15, 2008, in order to encourage people to learn about the current situation of "reviving Minamata." Thirty-three people, including 26 students from Kurume University and other colleges, attended this program. Learning about Minamata disease as an example of industrial pollution, the city has been striving to become a model environmental city.

]]> This learning program regards the whole city as a university and each site related to this issue as a classroom, and offers participants a chance to learn about its community development from the citizens as teachers. The curriculum includes the visit of eco-town and eco-museum in which the whole village is portrayed itself as a museum, as well as field work based on local studies. The program has been conducted since 2007.

Minamata is making active efforts with regard to the global warming issue, and was chosen as a model environmental city in July 2008 by the Panel on a Low-Carbon Society held by the Prime Minister. The city is also promoting environmental education for the young generation and people outside the city.

- Minamata City official website
http://www.minamatacity.jp/eng/
- Environment Ministry Holds Seminar to Convey the Minamata Experience to the World (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026785.html
- 5th 'Top Eco-City' Contest Encourages Eco-Cities (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026383.html
- Getting over Minamata Disease - Minamata City Works To become Model Environmental City (JFS Newsletter No. 22, June 2004)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/pages/
027936.html

Posted: 2009/01/07 06:00:15 AM

Survey of Internet Users Shows 70% Concerned with CO2 Reduction Efforts

2009-01-05T21:00:15Z

A Japanese net-media company, ishare Inc., announced on July 22, 2008, that a survey of its Web service customers on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions revealed that 70.4 percent of respondents said they were concerned with efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. The company also said that 7.5 percent said they were not concerned and 22.1 percent were unsure.

]]> The survey, conducted between July 8 and 10, 2008, targeted 429 male and female users, who reported being mainly in their 20s through 40s, and it was noted that the percentage of respondents with a strong interest in CO2 reduction efforts increased with age. The percentage for women was 76.6 percent, which was higher than that for men.

In response to the question on their specific behavior, using multiple-choice answers, the highest number, 46.4 percent, said they separated their waste, followed by 39.4 percent that refrained from using air-conditioners or heaters, and 36.8 percent that carried their own shopping bags or chopsticks when going out.

Classified by age, the percentage of those who said they had switched or were planning to switch to energy saving electric appliances was 16.7 percent in their 20s, 21.5 percent in their 30s, and 30.7 percent in their 40s, showing that older people were more concerned with using energy saving home appliances.

- 60% of Female Shoppers Bring Own Shopping Bags (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027167.html
- Survey 2007 Shows Growing Concern about Global Warming (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026818.html

Posted: 2009/01/06 6:00:15 AM

Over 600 Stores in Nagoya City to Charge for Plastic Shopping Bags

2009-01-04T21:00:15Z

Image by Willem van Bergen. Some Rights Reserved.

The Nagoya City government in Aichi prefecture will start a scheme to charge shoppers for plastic shopping bags throughout the city about two years ahead of schedule, although the city government initially planned to launch the program in 2010. In addition to Midori Ward, an existing model district of this scheme, the 7 wards in the eastern part of the city joined on October 4, 2008, and the project participants now include 635 stores. Furthermore, the 8 wards in the western part of the city will join the scheme in April 2009, thereby covering the entire city.

]]> In Midori Ward, which started a pilot scheme in October 2007, the ratio of plastic shopping bags refused by customers was 89 percent over a one-year period. This is equivalent to about 31.48 million plastic shopping bags. This result has accelerated the implementation of the scheme throughout the city.

Starting from its implementation in the 7 eastern wards, participating stores include various services; 146 supermarket branches, 76 drug stores, 63 pharmacies, 267 dry cleaners, 19 shops in universities, 61 bottle shops, and 3 other stores. The number of stores increased by more than 10-fold over those participating in 2007, when the pilot scheme started in the model district.

In Nagoya City, about one billion plastic shopping bags weighing 7,000 metric tons were used during 2006, and the City is targeting a reduction of about 60 percent, amounting to 600 million bags weighing 4,200 metric tons. It is estimated that a reduction of 600 million plastic shopping bags is equivalent to of 39,000 drums of oil (one oil drum = 200 liters), or 24,000 metric tons of CO2.

- Stores in Nagoya City Start Charging for Plastic Shopping Bags (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026949.html

Posted: 2009/01/05 06:00:15 AM

Ninety Percent of Shoppers Carry Own Bags After Supermarkets in Yamagata Start Charging for Plastic Bags

2009-01-03T21:00:15Z

The mayor of Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan announced at a press conference on September 22, 2008, that 90% of shoppers carried their own shopping bags at large supermarkets in the city in July and August 2008 after such supermarkets started charging for plastic bags.

]]> On May 7, 2008, Yamagata City concluded an agreement on reducing plastic bag use with seven local food supermarket chains which have 1,000 square meters or more total store floor area and two citizens' groups. Since then the parties concerned have been working together in a publicity campaign concerning charging fees for plastic shopping bags from July 1 by distributing posters and placing notices in the city gazette.

The average percentage of shoppers bringing their own shopping bags was 35.12% for four supermarket chains in April 2008, 41.68% for five supermarket chains in May, and 45.89% for six supermarket chains on June 30. The ratio rose to 88.17% on July 1 when 31 stores of seven supermarket chains started charging for plastic shopping bags and 90.25% on the average in July. In August, when seven stores of two supermarket chains joined the initiative, the average ratio became 89.75% for 39 stores of nine supermarket chains. The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by the initiative is estimated to have been about 225 tons during July and August 2008.

The city held a citizens' forum on October 11, 2008, about reducing plastic shopping bag use, to share information on results of the initiative, to deepen the understanding by businesses that are considering the idea of charging for plastic shopping bags, and to call for citizens' cooperation to the initiative.

- Co-op at Japan's Mie University Sees Dramatic Drop in Use of Plastic Bags by Charging Fees (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027077.html

Posted: 2009/01/04 06:00:15 AM

Japanese Company Cuts Time Needed to Make Carbon Fiber Autobody Parts

2009-01-02T21:00:15Z

Toray Industries, Inc., a leading Japanese manufacturer of fibers and chemicals, announced on October 21, 2008, that it has cut to ten minutes the time it takes to mold the front floor of an auto platform out of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).

]]> CFRP is about 50 percent lighter than steel, meaning that an automobile made with CFRP is lighter and more fuel-efficient than a regular vehicle. Using CFRP instead of steel also makes a vehicle 1.5 times safer in a collision. Toray and Nissan Motor Co. have been cooperating in the challenge to develop molding technologies to incorporate CFRP into large-scale, complex-mechanism products while shortening the manufacturing time, a project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

The conventional method of producing molds first involves a carbon fiber pre-form, which is a bunch of layered sheets cut according to the shape of the parts to be molded from CFRP. The pre-form is then placed inside the mold and resin is injected into it and made to harden. By developing an improved resin and introducing new technologies into the production process, Toray was able to revise the whole process and succeeded in establishing an automatic molding system to mass-produce CFRP components.

These newly developed technologies can be utilized in many areas, such as aircraft production, and the company intends to continue its research and development towards commercialization.

- Toray Industries Inc. official website
http://www.toray.com/

Posted: 2009/01/03 06:00:15 AM

Mitsubishi Electric Launches Small-Size Photovoltaic Module for Overseas Markets

2009-01-01T21:00:15Z

Copryright Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. in Japan launched four small-size photovoltaic (PV) modules for the overseas market suitable for use in solar power generation systems in areas without electricity. The shipment started in October 2008.

]]> There are many areas in Asia and Africa where the local electricity infrastructure is insufficient or non-existent. Many countries in these regions are promoting national projects to install stand-alone PV systems equipped with storage batteries to meet electricity demands for lighting, telecommunications, televisions and other basic needs. The required output of those PV modules differ for each country and are generally in a range of about 30 to 50 watts, while the company's previous PV module models for use in stand-alone systems had outputs of 110 and 120 watts.

The company adjusted its lineup to meet the wide range of demand from each country, with its four new modules (35, 40, 46 and 52watts) being suitable for use in small residences in areas with no electricity. The cell type is polycrystalline silicon. The modules' power voltages are compatible with 12-volt batteries, which are the most widely-used type in stand-alone PV systems.

Most small residences in areas without electricity use only one PV module per house. Mitsubishi Electric is the first Japanese manufacturer to assure a nominal power rating per module at the time of shipment.

- Mitsubishi Electric Announces Shipment of Small-size Photovoltaic Module for Non-electrified Area
http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/news/news_releases/
2008/mel0714.pdf
- Mitsubishi Electric Develops Key Technology for Next-Generation Power Capacitor (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027037.html

Posted: 2009/01/02 06:00:15 AM

Japanese Government Adopts Action Plan Emphasizing Solar Power Generation

2008-12-31T21:00:15Z

Image by Powerhouse Museum. Some Rights Reserved.

The Japanese government made a cabinet decision on July 29, 2008 that approved an action plan for achieving a low-carbon society. The plan is formulated as a practical roadmap to shift towards a low-carbon society, as recommended by the former prime minister Yasuo Fukuda's speech in June (called the Fukuda Vision), and the Council on the Global Warming Issue under his management. (Ms. Junko Edahiro, a joint chief executive of the non-profit group, Japan for Sustainability, is one of 12 experts on the council.)

]]> In the plan, developing innovative technologies and introducing existing advanced technologies are emphasized for achieving a low-carbon society. The innovative technical development aspect will feature technologies and innovation beyond the conventional technologies in terms of structure/materials and systems, which are expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases by 2050. Thirty billion US dollars will be invested over the next five years into these developments. Taking the solar cell, for example, the plan aims to increase its generating efficiency by more than 40 percent and reduce its cost to 7 Japanese yen (7 US cents) /kWh from the year 2030 onward.

With respect to spreading the use of advanced technologies, in order to regain the global top spot in terms of solar power energy generation, the government has set the goal of a tenfold increase by 2020, and of an increase to forty times by 2030 from the current level and aims to reduce the price of solar power systems by roughly one half of the current price in three to five years by applying technological innovation and generating demand. Moreover, taking as an example the policies in Germany and other countries, bold measures to support the introduction of solar energy and new pricing systems will be considered.

- Action Plan for Achieving a Low-carbon Society
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/policy/ondanka/
final080729.pdf
- Japan Establishes Cabinet Advisory Panel on Climate Change (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027007.html

Posted: 2009/01/01 06:00:15 AM

Mitsubishi Electric to Recycle Plastic from Old Home Electronics in New Products

2008-12-30T21:00:15Z

Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced on August 20, 2008, that it plans to launch large-scale recycling and reprocessing of high-purity plastics in the fall of 2009. The system the company has developed involves separating and recovering three major types of plastic from crushed plastic mixtures produced during the recycling of used home appliances, and then manufacturing new products with the reprocessed, high-purity raw materials.

]]> The mixture of residual plastics includes polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), which are used mainly in household appliances. The company uses specific gravity technology to sort and recover PP to a high purity level of 99 percent. For PS and ABS, which are more difficult to sort by gravity, the company developed an electrostatic separation technology to separate the two types of plastic from each other, also resulting in a high material purity of over 99 percent. This is the first time in Japan for a company to recover and reuse these three types of plastic at a purity of 99 percent or higher.

According to Mitsubishi Electric, from every 10,000 tons of plastic recovered by its recycling system, until now only 600 tons were recycled in its new home electric appliances, but it is expected to increase to 7,000 tons, using its technology to expand the amount of plastics in its closed-loop recycling system. The company also said that the amount of the three major types of raw plastic used in its household appliances business could be reduced by about 18 percent, while carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 10 percent, or 6,700 tons per year.

- Mitsubishi Electric Corp. - Electrostatic sorting
http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/company/csr/ecotopics/
plastics/sorting/images/recycle.swf

Posted: 2008/12/31 06:00:15 AM

Convenience Store Chain to Further Promote Eco-Friendly Packaging

2008-12-29T21:00:15Z

Family Mart Co., one of Japan's leading convenience store chains, announced on August 4, 2008, that it will expand its scheme of using eco-friendly packaging to all of its original delicatessen food products. While they plan to increase the number of items with paper packaging, they will also launch the use of biomass plastic in containers for desserts, dairy and soybean products.

]]> For its deli foods, the company has been using paper containers since 1999, pulp-mold containers made from reeds since 2002, biomass plastic containers since 2007 and wooden trays made of a fast-growing tree named falcataria in 2008. Under the new scheme, it will expand the number of eco-friendly packaging items by approximately 120 percent from 2007 levels.

The company has also decided to attach the logo of its environmental protection activities, "We Love Green," on deli food products packaged in eco-friendly materials. Until now, the logo has only been used on its original eco-friendly daily goods. By attaching the logo to other products, the company intends to show its attitude toward environmental protection and contribute to increasing environmental awareness among customers.

- FamilyMart Co. official website
http://www.family.co.jp/english/
- FamilyMart to Adopt On-Site Microwave Disposer for Food Waste (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/025190.html
- "From 'Convenience' to 'Co-Growing'" (FamilyMart Co., Ltd.)
JFS Newsletter No.37 (September 2005)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/pages/
027886.html

Posted: 2008/12/30 6:00:15 AM

TUES CUP High School Student Essay Contest on Environmental Issues

2008-12-28T21:00:15Z

On October 12, 2008, the Tottori University of Environmental Studies held a meeting for the reading of essays by high school students at the Fifth National High School Student Essay Contest on Environmental Issues (TUES CUP). The TUES CUP aims to help high school students, who will play a pivotal role in the next generation, learn about the environment by writing essays on top-priority issues in the 21st Century. The goal is to promote interest in and education about solutions to environmental problems. Furthermore, it also aims to raise the awareness of high school students and ordinary citizens with regard to these issues and to disseminate information on the environment throughout Japan.

]]> The theme of the essay for this year's fifth annual contest is "Water in Our Life." Ms. Aya Miyamoto, a first-year student at Shimane Prefecture Tsuwano High School, received the highest prize, the "Environment Grand Prix" with her essay, "Living with River." Talking with her family about the transition of the Tsuwano river running near her house, particularly in the past when the river played a significant role in daily life, she pointed out that we need to take responsibility for using and discharging water. The other winning essays included a report on an experiment in which a student examined ways to improve the immediate water environment, and an essay based on a student's experiences through community activities. This student insists that we need to change our awareness toward the environmental issues.

A spokesperson said that the number of applications for the essay contest increases every time they hold this event. This year, 1423 essays were submitted from 22 prefectures in Japan, which is the largest number of applications since the contest began. The spokesperson added that high school students share an increasing awareness of environmental issues, and that environmental education is more accessible to classrooms than ever before.

- Japanese University Starts Operation of BDF School Bus (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026712.html
- Universities and Students Tackling Environmental Issues (JFS Newsletter No.18, February 2004)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/
pages/027776.html

Posted: 2008/12/29 06:00:15 AM

Japanese High School Students Develop Electric Tricycle Powered by Fuel Cells

2008-12-27T21:00:15Z

Students in the department of electrical engineering at Komagane Technical High School in Nagano Prefecture have developed an electric tricycle for elementary school pupils, which is powered by hydrogen-fuel cells and an in-wheel motor. It was exhibited at the Youngsters' Science Festival in Ina in August 2008, where the students held a test-ride event. They hope that their tricycle, which emits no carbon dioxide, will inspire kids to think more about environmental issues.

]]> The tricycle is driven by an in-wheel motor in the rear, which is powered by the electricity generated through the reaction of hydrogen stored in a cylinder in the front and oxygen in the air. The on-board motor is an outer-rotor type, in which, unlike a conventional motor whose axis rotates, the stator core of this motor is fixed and the outer rotor rotates. Currently, many automobile manufacturers are involved in conducting research and development on this type of motor.

The school launched its research on new energies in cooperation with regional businesses and the local government in 2003. They first manufactured an in-wheel motor in 2005, and then equipped a number of fuel cell-powered cars with it. These developments were inspired by the local community asking for hands-on technologies that would benefit the environment.

Mr. Satoru Seki, the teacher at the school who has led this project, said, "Students that have grown up surrounded by nature in Nagano Prefecture have shown creativity in their product development. I hope that they will use their talents in developing new technologies that help our world be sustainable, and also enjoy the fruits of their efforts." The students have plans to develop a fuel-cell bicycle for adults, as well as to produce fuel cells themselves, and even fuel cell-powered toys.

Posted: 2008/12/28 06:00:15 AM

Tokyo to Introduce Green Power Certification System Using Solar Heat

2008-12-26T21:00:50Z

Image by urbangarden. Some Rights Reserved.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) set up a study group in June 2008 in preparation for the introduction of a Green Power Certification System using solar heat, and formulated its final plan in August. The TMG's new system, modeled after the Green Power Certification System, is expected to deal with the environmental value of solar heat and to bring economic benefits to those who install solar power devices.

]]> The use of solar power varies in family structures or with weather conditions, even with the same types of solar power device. Therefore, it is difficult to apply simulated values while more techniques and costs are required for actual measurements.

Although some challenges remain, TMG plans to positively promote the new system starting with sectors that are ready to proceed. TMG also expects to improve the reliability of markets for solar power by including the quality performance of the devices, services and maintenance systems by manufacturers as part of the certification system.

- Environment of Tokyo
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/kouhou/
english/index.html
- Tokyo Aims to Raise Renewable Energy Use to 20% by 2020 (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026334.html
- Tokyo Gov't Aims for 1 Million KW of Solar Power (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026985.html

Posted: 2008/12/27 06:00:50 AM

[Ecomap] NPO Picchio: Coexistence Between Humans and Wildlife

2008-12-26T02:09:17Z

Copryright NPO Picchio

Description:

NPO Picchio is a non-profit organization with a mission to conserve the ecosystem and biodiversity at the foot of Mt. Asama.
The organization is trying to understand what is happening in the ecosystem through scientific research. These results are reflected in Picchio's wildlife management program, and are also used to suggest improved plans for future conservation to the government and related institutions. It has a bear specialist team to solve human-bear
conflicts using non-lethal methods.
It also uses these activities, research and management to assist in developing eco-tour and environmental education programs.

Location:
Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture

Category:
Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Conservation

Actor:
Citizen

More info:
NPO Picchio
http://npo.picchio.jp/en/about/index.html
http://npo.picchio.jp/opinion_form.html