On April 12, 2007, the Japanese government presented its 16th Global Environmental Awards to 13 organizations, among them a local government, a high school and a citizens' group. All actively pursue environmental conservation in order to promote coexistence between industrial development and environmental protection.

The grand prize was won by Lion Corp., a leading health-care and household products manufacturer in Japan. The company was chosen for its efforts to switch from petroleum-derived to plant-based ingredients for laundry detergent in order to reduce CO2 emissions generated from washing laundry. Reductions of 47 percent compared to the 1990 levels were achieved.

The Economy, Trade and Industry Minister's Award was presented to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. and Dunlop Falken Tyres, Ltd., which jointly developed automobile tires made of natural rubber. The Environment Minister's Award went to Asahi Breweries, Ltd., which developed bio-ethanol from domestically produced raw materials, now undergoing feasibility tests. The newly established Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister's Award was presented to NYK Line, a major shipping company that invented a unique system to reduce emissions of pollutants from ships, paving the way to international standardization of this system.

Outstanding Environmental Contribution Prizes were presented to Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture for its efforts to recoup city gas from sewage, Kitauwa High School, Ehime Prefecture, which is working with local farmers to conserve water quality in natural streams, and the Shirakami Mountain Range Preservation Society, which is carrying out afforestation in the Shirakami Mountains to restore beech forests.


- Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. Wins Environmental Grand Prize (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1004-e
- Asahi Kasei Group Wins Top Environmental Prize (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1375-e

Posted: 2007/07/12 04:20:35 PM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Energy , Government , Local government , Manufacturing industry , Transportation