Illegal Dumping and Illegal Industrial Waste Disposal (Tochigi Prefecture, August 1994)
Several cases of illegal dumping of industrial waste have been reported in Tochigi Prefecture, and the prefectural police are investigating suspected violations of the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law. Of particular concern were cases of dumping without notification in mountains, forests, and riverbeds of stable wastes that should have been managed by waste disposers. Local residents in the affected areas have complained of foul odors and discoloration of well water, and the administration has been forced to take action.
According to the article, the dumping company did not have an appropriate treatment facility, and although it had obtained a permit, it was considered to be a paper company that lacked substantial treatment capacity. Some analysts believe that the economic turmoil that followed the bursting of the bubble economy may have been a breeding ground for illegal processing.
The residents are taking measures to protect themselves, such as documenting the actual damage and preserving photographs and samples of the types and quantities of waste materials. In addition, environmental groups are cooperating with the investigation and inviting experts in soil and water quality testing, and there are also moves toward pursuing legal responsibility.
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