Background and Purpose of Legislation. Since before the war, air pollution problems such as the Besshi Copper Mine Smoke Pollution Incident and the Asano Cement Ash Fall Incident had become apparent. The postwar period of rapid economic growth, marked by population concentration in urban areas and the formation of petroleum complexes, dramatically accelerated this problem.

Background and Purpose of Legislation. Since before the war, air pollution problems such as the Besshi Copper Mine Smoke Pollution Incident and the Asano Cement Ash Fall Incident had become apparent. The postwar period of rapid economic growth, marked by population concentration in urban areas and the formation of petroleum complexes, dramatically accelerated this problem.
Around 1960, respiratory diseases caused by sulfur oxides from the oil complex in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, became widespread and a social issue. To address this, the "Basic Act on Pollution Control" was enacted in 1967, and based on this, the "Air Pollution Control Act" was enacted in 1968.
This law aims to protect public health and maintain the living environment by regulating smoke, dust, and harmful air pollutants from industrial activities and building demolition, and by limiting automobile exhaust emissions.
Furthermore, it stipulates liability for compensation to victims under the "Act on Compensation for Health Damage Caused by Pollution" (enforced in 1973) when health damage occurs. This law has been amended several times since then, most recently in May 1996 when tetrachloroethylene was designated. Additionally, specific dust from building demolition and repair work became regulated, and motorcycles were added to the exhaust emission regulations.
Furthermore, in August 1997, dioxins were added as designated substances. Regulated substances. Facilities generating sooty smoke. a. Sulfur oxides (SOx) generated during combustion. b. Soot generated during combustion or electricity use.

c. Fixed facilities emitting harmful substances (cadmium and its compounds, chlorine and hydrogen chloride, fluorine, hydrogen fluoride and its compounds, lead and its compounds, nitrogen oxides) generated during combustion, synthesis, or decomposition.

General dust-generating facilities. Facilities that generate "dust (cement dust, coal dust, iron dust, etc.)" during crushing, sorting, other mechanical processing, or stockpiling. Stockpiles of cement, earth and stone, ore, coke, etc., belt conveyors, crushers, and screens are specified by Cabinet Order.

Facilities generating specific dust. Facilities generating "asbestos," a highly carcinogenic form of dust. Equipment such as cutting machines and crushers is specified by Cabinet Order. Work involving the discharge of specific dust. Demolition, alteration, or repair work on buildings where "specific dust" is used.

Designated Substance Emission Facilities. Facilities that emit or disperse designated hazardous air pollutants (benzene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, dioxin). Designated facilities include drying facilities, distillation facilities, mixing facilities, washing facilities, dry cleaning machines, electric furnaces, and waste incinerators above a certain scale.

Designated facilities (regulated only when discharging large quantities). Measures orders during accidents apply only when large quantities of specific substances (28 types) that may cause health hazards, such as ammonia, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, and carbon monoxide, are discharged.
Therefore, these facilities are not typically designated under Cabinet Order. Vehicle Emissions. Permissible limits are set for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) contained in emissions from automobiles and motorcycles.

Emission Standards. For smoke emissions, different standards are set for SOx, particulate matter, and hazardous substances. For SOx, standards depend on the height of the emission point and are calculated using the K value (ranging from 3.0 to 17.5) set by ordinance for each region and the height of the emission point. For particulate matter and hazardous substances, standards are established based on the type and scale of the facility.
For flue gas, in addition to the "General Emission Standards," there are "Special Emission Standards," "Additional Standards," and "Total Quantity Control." For particulate matter, site boundary standards apply to specific particulate matter generating facilities, while uniform national standards are set for general particulate matter. Work standards are also established for operations involving the discharge of specific particulate matter. Designated substance suppression standards are set for designated substance emitting facilities.


Responsibilities of Operators Subject to the Law. Beyond compliance with standards, operators of smoke-emitting facilities, general dust-emitting facilities, and specific dust-emitting facilities must notify the prefecture in advance when installing or modifying facility structures. Measurement and record-keeping are also mandatory. Furthermore, based on the Act on the Establishment of Pollution Prevention Organizations in Specified Factories, operators must appoint a pollution prevention organization and notify the prefecture.
Notification to the prefecture is also required for operations involving the discharge of specified dust, etc. Voluntary management is encouraged for designated substance discharge facilities. Regarding penalties, direct penalties such as fines are imposed for violations of smoke emission standards and total emission control standards. However, in other cases, penalties are limited to recommendations or orders.