Industrial Waste Dumping Incident in Kutchan Town, Hokkaido - December 1997

Industrial Waste Dumping Incident in Kutchan Town, Hokkaido - December 1997

In December 1997, an incident of illegal dumping of industrial waste uncovered in Kutchan Town, Hokkaido, Japan, had a serious impact on the local environment. In this case, a construction company illegally dumped waste materials, concrete pieces, and plastic waste generated during demolition work in a vacant lot on the outskirts of an urban area. The estimated amount of waste dumped amounted to about 250 tons, of which 75 tons, or about 30%, contained hazardous substances.

The incident began with a report from a neighbor. Concerned by the strange odor and the waste scattered about, the residents consulted with the local government, which initiated an investigation. As a result of the investigation, the waste was found to contain lead and cadmium, indicating a high risk of soil and groundwater contamination. This raised concerns about the risk of groundwater contamination in the surrounding area, which spanned a radius of more than one kilometer.

The illegal dumping contractor was alleged to have engaged in illegal activities to reduce disposal costs by failing to properly dispose of the waste. The estimated reduction in disposal costs for this contractor was approximately 10,000 yen per ton, totaling approximately 25 million yen. On the other hand, the government took emergency measures to remove the waste, and approximately 35 million yen was spent from public funds.

After the incident, the town of Kutchan strengthened its monitoring system for waste disposal to prevent a recurrence, and began installing surveillance cameras and conducting patrols to prevent illegal activities. In addition, guidance to waste disposal companies in the town was strengthened, and educational activities for local residents were also promoted.

This incident provided an opportunity for local residents and the local government to work together to address the problem of illegal dumping. Since then, the town of Kutchan has been working to raise awareness of environmental conservation and promote proper waste disposal. This incident highlighted the challenges of industrial waste management nationwide and served as an example to remind us of the importance of proper disposal.