The Issue of Illegal Exports of Hazardous Substances: September 1999 to the 2020s

The Issue of Illegal Exports of Hazardous Substances: September 1999 to the 2020s In 1999, industrial waste exported from Japan—primarily to Southeast Asian countries—was not properly treated, causing severe environmental damage in those regions. In the Philippines, approximately 30% of imported waste contained hazardous substances, leading to water pollution caused by illegal landfilling. Lead and cadmium contaminated groundwater, and health hazards to residents were reported. In Thailand, waste was incinerated at facilities lacking proper equipment, raising concerns about long-term risks such as dioxin concentrations in the air exceeding regulatory limits. This situation stemmed from illegal exports aimed at reducing domestic disposal costs, and cases of falsified treatment certificates were also confirmed. The Ministry of the Environment implemented stricter regulations based on the Basel Convention, while companies such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Ebara Corporation advanced domestic treatment technologies. Ebara Corporation’s high-temperature incineration technology received high praise for its ability to render PCBs harmless, and inspections of export cargo were strengthened at ports such as Yokohama and Kobe. Trends in the 2010s In the 2010s, regulations under the Basel Convention were further strengthened, and domestic waste treatment capacity improved. While the volume of hazardous waste exported from Japan was on a downward trend, illegal exports remained a problem in some cases. In particular, exports of waste plastics and electronic waste continued, making proper treatment in receiving countries a challenge. Additionally, companies such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Ebara Corporation provided advanced recycling and incineration technologies, leading to greater efficiency in domestic processing. Cooperation among local governments was strengthened, and a waste management network was established. Meanwhile, from the perspective of reducing processing costs, efforts to promote domestic recycling and reduce waste generation were advanced. Current Situation in the 2020s In the 2020s, the enforcement of the “Act on the Control of Export and Import of Specified Hazardous Wastes, etc.” (Basel Act), based on the Basel Convention, led to significant progress in regulating exports and imports. In 2021, the total volume of specified hazardous waste exported from Japan decreased to 95,386 tons, while imports increased slightly to 1,776 tons. The main export destinations are Malaysia and Thailand, with waste plastics and electronic waste constituting the bulk of exports. Domestically, high-efficiency incinerators provided by Ebara Corporation have been deployed nationwide, resulting in a significant reduction in dioxin emissions. Furthermore, biomass processing technology from Kawasaki Heavy Industries has garnered attention, and initiatives to utilize waste as an energy source are underway. On the other hand, the development of treatment facilities remains a challenge in remote islands and rural areas, and the introduction of mobile treatment technologies is being explored. Summary From the discovery of the problem in 1999 through the 2020s, Japan’s hazardous waste management has made significant progress; however, challenges remain, such as treatment systems in importing countries and the development of domestic facilities. Through policy evolution and technological innovation, the realization of sustainable waste management is anticipated.