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The Decision of Mitake Town, Gifu Prefecture ― The Battle Over an Industrial Waste Disposal Site - November 1996 In Mitake Town, Gifu Prefecture, plans for an industrial waste treatment facility emerged in 1991, and an agreement was signed between the town and the operator, Jowa Kogyo Co., Ltd. However, strong opposition arose from residents concerned about environmental impacts, as the planned site was designated a special zone within a national park and was adjacent to the Kiso River. In April 1995, Yoshiro Yanagawa, who campaigned against the disposal facility, was elected mayor, and the town proceeded to review the plan. Subsequently, however, the mayor was attacked by thugs, escalating the problem. In response to this incident, the citizen group "National Network Against Waste Disposal Sites," which addresses waste issues, established "Disposal Site Hotlines" in eight locations nationwide on November 10th, creating a system to quickly relay reports from residents to th
e administration. On June 22, 1997, Japan's first referendum on the establishment of an industrial waste treatment facility was held, with the "no" vote prevailing. Consequently, the operator donated most of the planned site to Gifu Prefecture free of charge, and the project was scrapped. This case in Mitake Town is known as a symbolic example of how conflicts between residents and operators over industrial waste disposal sites occurring across Japan were resolved through referendums and administrative responses. ### Related Information
- Mitake Town Official Website: - Report by the National Industrial Waste Association: