Buried Crimes: Beyond the Mountains, Aomori: Memories and Questions about the Illegal Dumping of Industrial Waste at the Border of Iwate Prefecture, June 2007

Buried Crimes: Beyond the Mountains, Aomori: Memories and Questions about the Illegal Dumping of Industrial Waste at the Border of Iwate Prefecture, June 2007

In the mountains on the border between Tago Town, Aomori Prefecture, and Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, a mountain of industrial waste had been piled up, hidden from the public. In the early 2000s, an incident that shook Japan's environmental administration to its very foundations was quietly but surely uncovered at this location.

Act I: The Black Shadow Hidden in the Mountain

In November 1999, a joint investigation by the Iwate and Aomori prefectural police brought to light the illegal dumping of a large amount of industrial waste. The scene was a vast area of land covering more than 27 hectares on the border between the two prefectures. The total volume of waste was initially 820,000 cubic meters, but eventually exceeded 1,000,000 cubic meters, and included a wide variety of waste such as incinerator ash, sludge, drums containing waste oil, and medical waste.

The fact that the licensed composting facility functioned as a relay and concealment point for the waste was later revealed. The illegal processing was taking place through the "back door" of the permit.

Act II: Corporate Shadows and Gaps in the Law

The companies involved in this case included Sanei Chemical Industry, its affiliate Sanei Kogyo, and Agata Nan Sanitation Co. Sanei Chemical had obtained a permit for a composting facility, but in fact accepted industrial waste that was not permitted and deposited it illegally. Furthermore, soil and sand taken from the Iwate side of the land was transported to a valley on the Aomori side, covering and concealing the waste. The "moving of soil" for the purpose of disguise was taking place across the border.

Since the number of emitting companies as well as corporations exceeded 12,000, responsibility was unclear, making the pursuit of administrative punishment and compensation extremely difficult.

Act III: Between the Environment and People

After being abandoned for a long period of time, the waste began to leak toxic substances and there were concerns about contamination of soil and groundwater. 2004, Aomori and Iwate prefectures began restoring the waste to its original state, removing, incinerating, and improving the soil, but they faced many barriers, including a lack of treatment facilities and the burden of costs.

In addition, the incineration process has placed a psychological and social burden on residents in the surrounding areas, causing a dual impact of environmental damage and social distrust.

Act IV: The Mountain's Voice Continues to Ask Questions

This incident cast a deep shadow over Japanese society as a symbol of invisible environmental crimes and as a reminder of the institutional limits of environmental law. Lessons learned from this incident have led to the strengthening of the e-manifest system and the emissions liability system, but they have yet to completely prevent a recurrence.

The sins still buried beneath the green of the quietly towering mountains continue to question what we have missed and what we have allowed to happen.

Related Information Source Company Administrative Data

Companies involved: Sanei Chemical Industry Co.
Related materials:
Aomori Prefectural Government Illegal dumping archives
Iwate Prefecture Business Plan
RecycleHub Background and background of the incident
Konoike Corporation Examples of Removal Businesses and Technology
Number of businesses that emit waste: approx. 12,000
Estimated illegal dumping amount: over 1 million cubic meters

This incident is not a forgotten place. Rather, it is a site that should continue to be talked about and reexamined as the starting point underlying current environmental policies.