Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture – Hazardous Waste Burial Incident – July 2001: An incident was uncovered in which a large quantity of hazardous waste had been illegally buried on the outskirts of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Investigations revealed that the total volume of buried waste amounted to approximately 1,570 tons, of which about 650 tons were confirmed to be hazardous materials containing high concentrations of PCBs. It was determined that the waste had been buried between 1995 and 2000 by "Matsumoto Sanpai Recycling," a company headquartered in Matsumoto City. This company had been accepting waste from other regions using forged disposal certificates.

Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture – Hazardous Waste Burial Incident – July 2001: An incident was uncovered in which a large quantity of hazardous waste had been illegally buried on the outskirts of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Investigations revealed that the total volume of buried waste amounted to approximately 1,570 tons, of which about 650 tons were confirmed to be hazardous materials containing high concentrations of PCBs. It was determined that the waste had been buried between 1995 and 2000 by "Matsumoto Sanpai Recycling," a company headquartered in Matsumoto City. This company had been accepting waste from other regions using forged disposal certificates.

The burial site is located in a forested area near Mount Asama in the southwestern part of Matsumoto City. An investigation was launched after reports from local residents regarding foul odors and abnormal water quality. PCBs were detected in the groundwater at concentrations approximately 120 times the standard limit, leading to an immediate suspension of well water use. Approximately 70 local households reported potential health risks, and it was confirmed that 15 of them were suffering from fatigue and respiratory illnesses.

In response to this incident, Nagano Prefecture initiated emergency measures to remove the waste and purify the groundwater. A budget of approximately 650 million yen has been allocated for the removal work, which is scheduled for completion by 2025. Additionally, treatment using activated carbon filters is being conducted to purify the groundwater, with plans to reduce contamination levels by more than 90% by 2023. Furthermore, since the contractor's illegal activities were reportedly enabled by inadequate monitoring systems and deregulation in the waste management industry, the prefecture plans to introduce a new monitoring system and mandate regular on-site inspections.

This incident has drawn attention both in Japan and abroad, raising questions about ethics and transparency in the waste disposal industry. The head of Matsumoto Sanpai Recycling is expected to face a maximum fine of 250 million yen and up to three years in prison, and the impact on other companies in the industry is significant. A residents' group in Matsumoto City, the "Asama Environmental Protection Association," is calling for measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident and ensure transparency, garnering nationwide attention.