Illegal Export of Hazardous Substances - September 1999 to the 2020s

Illegal Export of Hazardous Substances - September 1999 to the 2020s

In 1999, industrial waste exported from Japan to mainly Southeast Asian countries was not properly treated, causing serious environmental damage there. In the Philippines, about 30% of imported waste contains hazardous substances, causing water pollution due to illegal landfill. Lead and cadmium contaminated groundwater, causing health problems for local residents. In Thailand, incineration at facilities without proper equipment caused dioxin concentrations in the air that exceeded standards, raising concerns about long-term risks.

In the background, illegal exports to reduce domestic treatment costs were reported, and cases of false treatment certificates being used were also identified. The Ministry of the Environment has strengthened regulations based on the Basel Convention, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ebara Corporation, and other companies have advanced their domestic treatment technologies. EBARA's high-temperature incineration technology has received high marks for rendering PCBs harmless, and export cargo inspections have been strengthened at the ports of Yokohama and Kobe.

Trends in the 2010s
In the 2010s, regulations based on the Basel Convention were further strengthened and domestic waste treatment capacity was improved. The amount of hazardous waste exported from Japan was on the decline, but illegal exports were still a problem in some areas. In particular, exports of waste plastics and electronic waste continued, and proper treatment in receiving countries became an issue.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Ebara Corporation provided advanced recycling and incineration technologies, and domestic treatment efficiency was improved. Cooperation among local governments was strengthened and a waste treatment network was established. At the same time, from the perspective of reducing treatment costs, efforts were made to promote recycling and curb the generation of waste in Japan.

Current Status in the 2020s
In the 2020s, the implementation of the Law Concerning the Control of Imports and Exports of Specified Hazardous Wastes, etc. (Basel Law) based on the Basel Convention led to significant progress in the optimization of imports and exports. in 2021, the total volume of specified hazardous waste exported from Japan decreased to 95386 tons, while the volume imported increased slightly to 1776 tons. The main export destinations are Malaysia and Thailand. The main export destinations are Malaysia and Thailand, where waste plastics and e-waste are the main products.

In Japan, high-efficiency incinerators provided by EBARA Corporation have been utilized throughout the country, significantly reducing dioxin emissions. Furthermore, Kawasaki Heavy Industries' biomass processing technology has attracted attention, and efforts are underway to utilize waste as an energy source. On the other hand, the development of treatment facilities on remote islands and in rural areas has become an issue, and the introduction of mobile treatment technology is being explored.

Conclusion
Japan's hazardous waste management has made significant progress since the problem was first identified in 1999 through the 2020s, but challenges remain, including the development of treatment systems in exporting countries and the maintenance of domestic facilities. It is hoped that policy evolution and technological innovation will lead to the realization of sustainable waste management.