Where the Ashes Go: The Shift in Environmental Administration That Began in Tokorozawa (1997-2000)

Where the Ashes Go: The Shift in Environmental Administration That Began in Tokorozawa (1997-2000)
In the late 1990s, Japanese society reached a turning point in rethinking its system of dependence on waste incineration. As dioxin contamination became more serious and incinerators were identified as a major source, trust in science and technology was shaken and the relationship between government and citizens was questioned. 1999, the "vegetable contamination report" from Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, sent shockwaves throughout Japan, and the city enacted Japan's first dioxin control ordinance. The city promoted the removal of small household incinerators, attracting attention as a locally initiated environmental policy. The Ministry of Education notified schools to abolish school incinerators, and 90% of public schools in Japan stopped operation. The following year, the "Basic Guidelines for the Promotion of Dioxin Control Measures" were formulated, setting a target of reducing dioxin emissions by 90% by 2002. These developments symbolize the end of incineration un
iversalism and the shift to a recycling-oriented society. The wave of reforms that began in Tokorozawa formed the prototype for a new type of environmental governance involving the government, businesses, and citizens.