In June 2004, in its fourth municipal environmental activities competition the Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development awarded its Environment Grand Prix for local municipalities to Iida City (Nagano Prefecture in central Japan) and three other municipalities. Second prize went to two municipalities. These prizes are presented to cities that strive to revitalize social and economic activities and to improve the quality of citizens' lives as well as to solve environmental problems.

Iida City won the grand prix as well as the Environment Minister's Award for its efforts to realize an environmentally friendly city. Through the acquisition of ISO 14001 certification and the introduction of its own original environmental management system, named Iimusu 21, Iida City has improved its citizens' environmental awareness and encouraged municipal employees to take the initiative to create an eco-friendly city.

Another grand prix winner is Numata Town in Hokkaido. Deciding to use its heavy snowfall to its advantage, the town developed a type of rice it named "Secchumai" (rice stored in the snow) and a local sake named "Yukinagori" (lingering snow). Secchumai is the world's first rice stored in a warehouse cooled by snow, a method that keeps rice as tasty as a fresh harvest for a year, at low cost. Yukinagori is a mild sake brewed using snow to keep it stored at cool temperatures. Numata Town succeeded in revitalizing its local economy by using the very snow that is often seen as an obstacle.

Nishinomiya City of Hyogo Prefecture and Hirara City of Okinawa Prefecture also won the grand prize for their efforts to promote environmental education and groundwater conservation, respectively. The second prizes went to Rishiri Town and Rishirifuji Town of Hokkaido and Shiroishi City of Miyagi Prefecture.




Posted: 2004/12/02 05:33:06 PM
Japanese version

TAG Food/Water , Government , Local government , NGO/Citizen , Other , System/Law