43-Environmental_Destruction_Summary-February_1998

43-Environmental_Destruction_Summary-February_1998

Estimated Title - Large Amounts of Drift Waste on Coastlines - February 1998

According to a study by Professor Haruyuki Yamaguchi of the National Defense Academy, large amounts of drift waste from Korea, China, and Taiwan have been found on coastlines in various parts of Japan, including Sado Island, Shonai Beach in Yamagata Prefecture, and Iki Island in Nagasaki Prefecture. Particularly in the southwestern part of Sado Island, more than 3,000 pieces of waste per kilometer have been found, with plastic products, plastic bags, PET bottles, and fishing gear (especially nylon nets and ropes) making up the majority. This drift waste has not only damaged local tourist resources but also cost cities like Sado and Iki millions of yen annually in cleanup efforts.

Much of the drift waste is believed to come from Korean and Chinese fishing companies, with company logos and product names occasionally found on the debris. Given that plastic products take hundreds of years to decompose, they have a serious impact on the marine ecosystem. Local governments continue their cleanup efforts, but the sheer volume of waste makes complete removal difficult, and limitations of incineration and landfill options have been noted.

Moreover, it is predicted that large amounts of waste from Japan are also drifting to Korea, China, and Taiwan, exacerbating mutual pollution. In response to the drift waste issue along the Sea of Japan coast, local governments, in cooperation with fishing industry stakeholders and companies, are conducting regular collection activities and introducing new waste processing technologies. However, fundamental solutions are challenging without international cooperation.

Recently, international regulations on plastic products and conferences aimed at addressing marine waste have been held, but sustainable solutions will continue to be sought.