Article 1: "Japan's First ESP Business to Launch"

Article 1: "Japan's First ESP Business to Launch"
Japan Research Institute, Ltd. will launch Japan's first Energy Service Provider (ESP) business, a comprehensive energy-related service. The ESP business is a service that offers companies and stores the ability to procure inexpensive electricity, maintain and manage energy equipment, and install highly energy-efficient equipment on an outsourced basis. In the U.S., this service emerged in the late 1990s and has been growing along with the liberalization of the electric power market.

Article 2: "Item-by-Item Recycling to Expand with the Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources
With the enforcement of the Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, recycling of textile products such as clothing and carpets is expanding. However, the recycling rate is less than 10%, and there is an urgent need to develop new applications. Since textile products are highly complex materials and difficult to separate and decompose, establishing a recycling market is a challenge. New recycling methods and technologies must be developed to expand recycled applications.

Article 3: "Expanding Recycling of Pachinko Machines"
Pachinko machines are now subject to the Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, and there is a need to increase the recycling rate. Shipments are increasing, and collection routes are being established and reusable parts are being purchased. Manual disassembly and crushing are the most common recycling methods, followed by conversion to cement fuel or RDF. In the future, mechanization and utilization of existing home appliance recycling plants are expected.

Article 4: "Current Status and Issues of Tire Recycling"
According to the Japan Tire Recycling Association, the recycling rate of waste tires has reached 89%. The most common recycling method is the use of heat in cement furnaces and steelmaking furnaces, but one of the challenges for the future is to expand material recycling. Challenges include the low demand for rubber powder and recycled rubber, and the increasing cost of steel radials due to their widespread use.

Article 5: "Market Expansion for Titanium Dioxide Products"
According to a survey by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the market for titanium dioxide photocatalytic products is worth approximately 25 billion yen, and their use is expanding in building exterior materials and household products. In the future, use of titanium dioxide photocatalytic products is expected to expand to road paints and plastic films. Titanium dioxide products are highly effective in improving the environment and are attracting attention as a new market.

Article 6: "Recovery and Disposal of Freon Gas
Based on the Fluorocarbons Recovery and Destruction Law that went into effect in April 2002, recovery of Type I CFCs (commercial refrigeration and air conditioning) is underway, and the NPO "Stop Freon National Liaison Group" is collecting and disseminating information on CFCs, and companies are taking action. The registration of CFC recovery companies has progressed, and CFC recovery from air conditioners and refrigerators has been implemented; however, the recovery rate is still low, and this remains an issue to be addressed in the future.

Article 7: "Establishment of a Gypsum Board Recycling Company"
Takenaka Corporation, in collaboration with Yoshino Gypsum and waste disposal companies, has established a gypsum board recycling company called Gipro. The purpose of this company is to accept waste gypsum board and recycle it into reusable raw materials. The new plant is scheduled to be operational in the spring of 2003, and is expected to have a monthly processing capacity of 2,000 to 3,000 tons of waste gypsum board. The processing fee is set at a lower cost than conventional landfill disposal.

Article 8: "Deregulation for the Popularization of Fuel Cells"
A project team from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has proposed deregulation across 26 items in six laws to promote the widespread use of fuel cells. This includes deregulation of the installation of hydrogen stations in residential areas and stationary fuel cells for home use. This is expected to accelerate the introduction of fuel cells and reduce environmental impact.

Article 9: "Seiyu's Introduction of a Corporate Environmental Tax"
Seiyu announced that it will introduce an in-house environmental tax by converting energy consumption and waste generation into CO2 equivalent. The company plans to collect taxes on the environmental impact of its stores and distribution centers nationwide from their profits and return a portion to environmental capital investment and community contribution activities.

Article 10: "Current Status of Tire Recycling"
According to a report by the Japan Tire Recycling Association, the recycling rate for scrap tires reached 89% in 2001. The main recycling method is heat utilization in cement furnaces and steelmaking furnaces, but material recycling needs to be expanded in the future. The low demand for rubber powder and recycled rubber is a challenge, and new applications need to be developed.