Illegal Oil Disposal - March 2004

Illegal Oil Disposal - March 2004

The problem of illegal oil disposal in Japan is particularly prevalent among manufacturing and transportation companies. In Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, a related factory of Kawasaki Heavy Industries was caught improperly disposing of waste oil, leading to a massive spill into the nearby Tsurumi River, causing severe water pollution. This contamination resulted in significant damage to the river's ecosystem, with reports of large numbers of fish dying as a consequence.

The Ministry of the Environment has strengthened its crackdown on such illegal practices, imposing fines of up to 10 million yen on violators. Furthermore, a traceability system for managing waste oil is being considered to prevent illegal disposal. This system aims to track the flow of waste oil from generation to disposal, preventing misconduct by disposal companies.

In addition, major companies like JX Nippon Oil & Energy are developing new technologies for proper oil treatment, introducing methods to recycle waste oil into reusable forms. Such technological innovations are helping to reduce environmental impact and address industrial waste issues.