Report Discusses Future of Japan's Eco Town Program

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released a report reviewing the past and showing future directions for the ministry's Eco-Town program, on October 26, 2005. The Environmental Town Planning Council, commissioned by METI, compiled this report after five meetings held between January and June 2005. The council shed some light on the current status and problems of the program, and also considered prospective challenges from a wide range of viewpoints.

The Eco-Town program, established in fiscal 1997 based on the concept of zero emissions, aims to promote innovative and environmentally responsible town planning. Under the program, local governments' eco-friendly town plans can be approved as Eco-Town Projects, making them eligible for financial support from the government, if they are judged to be original, innovative, and potential models for other local municipalities By December 2005, 25 local projects had been approved nationwide.

The report states that past problems include difficulties in collecting recyclable material resources, and inadequate sales networks for recycled products within each Eco-Town area. It says that more advanced recycling facilities and research and development sites will be needed to resolve these problems.

As to future tasks, the report also suggests roles of the central government and other related parties, showing the importance of (1) paying attention not only to the recycling rate in each area but also to the reduction of CO2 emissions, (2) improving the recycling efficiency of local resources, and (3) establishing an appropriate recycling scheme covering a wider area of the recycling cycle.


http://www.meti.go.jp/english/topic/data/eEcotowne.html

Posted: 2006/03/11 10:58:45 AM
Japanese version