### Detailed history of illegal transportation in violation of the Basel Convention

### Detailed history of illegal transportation in violation of the Basel Convention

#### 1990s: Adoption of the Basel Convention and Japan's Response
The Basel Convention, adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992, aimed to regulate the cross-border movement of hazardous waste. Japan became a signatory in 1993 and began strengthening its waste management. 1998, a conference in Kuching, Malaysia, discussed restrictions on the export of hazardous waste for recycling purposes, but no agreement was reached, and Japan imported 12,466 tons of waste etching solution and spent catalysts.

#### 2000s: Increased E-Waste and Tighter Laws and Regulations
In the 2000s, Japan imported increasing amounts of e-waste from Southeast Asian countries, with Dowa Group's Kosaka Smelter and Mitsubishi Materials' Naoshima Smelter playing an important role as recycling centers for waste containing lead, copper, and silver. In 2005, imports reached 14637 tons, further increasing the importance of waste management, but the risk of illegal transport also became a major issue.

#### 2010s: revision of the Basel Law and simplification of import procedures
In 2018, Japan amended its Basel Law to expedite imports to environmentally friendly recycling facilities based on a prior consent mechanism. The revision facilitated the importation of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and used storage batteries, and increased the number of wastes exempted from regulation. Mitsubishi Materials and JX Nippon Mining & Metals further expanded the treatment of hazardous waste containing lead and mercury.

#### 2020s: Tighter Monitoring of Illegal Transport and International Cooperation
In the 2020s, Japan strengthened cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to monitor illegal transport. 7,212 tons of hazardous waste was imported in 2020, much of which was properly processed at Mitsubishi Materials' Naoshima smelter and JX Metals' Hitachi smelter. In addition, the government is stepping up its crackdown on illegal transportation, as fires and foul odors caused by improper disposal of electronic scrap have been reported.

Through these efforts, Japan is striving to achieve both efficient waste management and environmental conservation, and is developing technologies to contribute to global environmental conservation while complying with regulations under the Basel Convention.