Ecological Destruction Due to Coal Ash Disposal in the Kansai Region - December 1994

Ecological Destruction Due to Coal Ash Disposal in the Kansai Region - December 1994

In the Kansai region, several factories, particularly in Osaka Prefecture and Hyogo Prefecture, have reported improper disposal of coal ash, leading to severe environmental issues. These factories generate approximately 500,000 tons of coal ash annually, some of which is discharged into rivers and lakes. The Yodo River system in Osaka and the Kakogawa River system in Hyogo have seen coal ash settle on riverbeds, adversely affecting fish and aquatic life.

Coal ash contains hazardous heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, which contaminate water quality and affect the health of nearby residents and agricultural production. The accumulation of coal ash on the riverbed reduces oxygen levels, causing a significant decline in benthic organisms like shrimp and small fish. In particular, the Yodo River has witnessed a noticeable decline in species such as gobies and eels, leading to a 20% reduction in local fisheries' income.

In response, major companies like Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. and Kobe Steel, Ltd. have been implicated. Local governments and the Ministry of the Environment have recommended that these companies properly manage waste disposal. Kansai Electric has allocated around 1 billion yen to install waste treatment facilities and develop recycling technologies for coal ash. Meanwhile, Kobe Steel has begun reusing coal ash as a raw material for cement.

However, in areas with insufficient regulation, illegal dumping remains a problem. Strengthening monitoring systems under the River Law and Environmental Protection Act is urgently needed. This issue is gaining attention not only in the Kansai region but across Japan as a critical challenge for water conservation and ecological protection, highlighting the need for further legal reforms.