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1. Introduction of Industrial Waste Landfill Tax (Hiroshima Prefecture) - April 2003 Hiroshima Prefecture introduced a landfill tax in April 2003 to reduce industrial waste. Taxing ¥1,000 per ton, the first year's ¥700 million in tax revenue was deposited into the "Industrial Waste Reduction Fund," establishing a subsidy program for recycling technology development. Measures to encourage corporate waste reduction and lessen environmental impact are being advanced. 2. Reduction of the Eco-Town Project (Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture) - 2003 Kitakyushu City had been implementing its Eco-Town Project since 1997, investing 28 billion yen in subsidies by fiscal year 2001. However, the subsidy was reduced in the fiscal year 2003 budget, and a new initiative, the Biomass Town Concept, is under consideration. A shift towards energy policies emphasizing the effective use of local resources is underway. 3. PET Bottle Recycling Facility (Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefe
cture) - 2004 A recycling facility for PET bottles and plastic containers/packaging is being established within the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Eba Plant in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City. Funded by three companies—Hiroshima Ryojyu Kogyo, Chugoku Electric Power, and NK Environment—it is scheduled to commence operations in April 2004. It is expected to promote resource circulation.

4. Recycling Port Plan (Kobe Port, Tokyo Port, Kitakyushu Port) - 2003 The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism designated Kobe Port, Tokyo Port, and Kitakyushu Port as Recycling Ports, establishing them as maritime logistics hubs for waste and recyclable materials. Subsidies will be provided to private operators for recycling facility development, promoting the use of maritime transport for waste.

5. Waste Roof Tile Recycling Project (Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) - 2003 Kokuyo in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, operates a project recycling waste roof tiles for use as construction materials and road paving materials. These materials are attracting attention for their excellent permeability and water retention properties, contributing to reduced environmental impact.

6. Introduction of Forest Environment Tax (Kochi Prefecture) - April 2003 Kochi Prefecture introduced a Forest Environment Tax in April 2003 to fund forest conservation, levying ¥500 annually per resident. Projected revenue of ¥140 million will support forest conservation projects promoting mixed broadleaf and coniferous forests.

7. Waste Oil Diesel Fuel Demonstration Test (Asakita Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture) - April 2003 A demonstration test for manufacturing "Miracle Oil," a diesel fuel using waste oil, commenced in Asa Town, Asakita Ward, Hiroshima City. The method, using a special oxidizing agent, is attracting attention as a technology that does not generate secondary waste.

8. Wood Biomass Fuel Development (Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture) - September 2002 Tromso in Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture, developed manufacturing technology for "Karl Chip," a solid fuel using rice husks. Efforts are underway to accelerate the spread of biomass energy with this fuel, which offers high combustion efficiency and long-term storage capability.

9. Hyogo Prefecture's Eco-Town Plan (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture) - April 2003 Hyogo Prefecture is promoting an Eco-Town plan utilizing recycling boats. Efforts are underway to strengthen the resource circulation system by transporting waste materials by sea from areas like Osaka, Hiroshima, and Kagawa.

10. Water Quality Improvement and Emission Trading Scheme (Tokyo Bay Watershed) - 2000 An emission trading scheme targeting reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus inflow loads was introduced in the Tokyo Bay watershed. By 2000, reductions of 20% for nitrogen and 30% for phosphorus were confirmed. This economic approach to water pollution control is attracting attention.