Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan - April 2004

The Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan was developed as part of an environmental business support strategy aimed at promoting the circulation of regional resources and achieving a sustainable society. This plan includes specific initiatives to leverage the industries and technologies within Okayama Prefecture to promote the formation of a recycling-oriented society.

### Key Features of the Plan
1. **Regional Mini Eco-Town Project**:
- Mini Eco-Towns will be established across various parts of Okayama Prefecture, creating models of recycling-oriented societies that utilize local resources and renewable energy. This "Regional Mini Eco-Town Project" aims to promote economic revitalization and reduce environmental impact by utilizing local resources and promoting renewable energy use.

2. **Resource Circulation Promotion Project**:
- Okayama Prefecture is implementing the "Resource Circulation Promotion Project," which supports the development of technologies and systems related to the utilization of circulating resources within the prefecture. This project provides specific support measures for businesses and municipalities within Okayama to realize a recycling-oriented society using environmental technologies.

3. **Specific Measures to Support Environmental Businesses**:
- Okayama Prefecture is the first region in Japan to codify support measures for environmental businesses in an ordinance. Specifically, the "Okayama Prefecture Coastal Industrial Zone Formation Promotion Ordinance" includes a system that provides subsidies for proposal projects related to the utilization of circulating resources. This system promotes the development of environmental technologies and business expansion.

### Main Initiatives
1. **Mizushima Complex**:
- The Mizushima Complex, which is central to the Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan, is being developed as a core region for recycling businesses. It serves as a model area for the Eco-Town Plan, with research and development of industrial waste treatment and resource recycling technologies.

2. **Recycling of Woody Waste Using Carbonization Technology**:
- A JFE Group company is leading an initiative to recycle woody waste by converting it into carbon using high-temperature continuous carbonization furnaces. The carbon is then used to produce secondary products such as flower pots and cat litter. This is an example of an initiative to reuse waste as a resource.

3. **Recycling of Waste Spray Cans**:
- Ryo Chemical is conducting a waste spray can recycling project that involves processing discarded spray cans in a nitrogen gas-sealed treatment facility and recycling them into aluminum and steel. The gas generated during this process is used for self-generation of electricity.

### Achievements and Future Outlook
The Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan serves as a model case for balancing economic revitalization and environmental protection through the effective use of regional resources and the development of environmental technologies. This initiative is expected to have a ripple effect in other regions, and further progress toward a sustainable society is anticipated in the future.

The Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan is drawing attention as an important policy to maximize the potential of the region and promote environmental businesses.

Kitakyushu Eco-Town Project Details - January 1999

- Background:

- Kitakyushu City developed into one of Japan's leading industrial cities in the mid-20th century (1950s to 1970s), but also faced severe industrial pollution. However, the citizens, industry, government, and academic institutions came together to overcome the pollution.

- Launch of the Eco-Town Project:
- In 1997, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry recognized Kitakyushu as an "Eco-Town Project," marking the beginning of full-scale efforts to promote environmental industries.

- Environmental Industry Promotion Plan:
- In 1998, the "Kitakyushu City Environmental Industry Promotion Council" was established, and the "Kitakyushu Eco-Town Plan Implementation Plan" was formulated.
- The plan consists of the following three pillars:
1. Development of technology and demonstration research facilities
- Wakamatsu District's Hibikinada area plays a central role in Kitakyushu's Eco-Town Project and is being developed as a hub for environmental industries. In this area, companies are actively collaborating on technological development. For example, many companies are working on developing and demonstrating recycling technologies to promote the recycling of industrial waste.
2. Promotion of the recycling industry
- The Hibikinada area has become a hub for multiple recycling companies that process and recycle domestic and international waste efficiently. These companies use the latest recycling technologies to contribute to the realization of a sustainable resource-circulating society.
- Key companies include Eco-Material Co., Ltd. and Kitakyushu Recycle Co., Ltd., which play a crucial role in the recovery of resources from industrial waste and the supply of recycled materials to the market.
3. Promotion of international cooperation
- The companies and facilities in the Hibikinada area are utilized for the transfer of international environmental technologies and training programs, thereby enhancing the international competitiveness of local companies.

- Technology Development and Research Base:
- Technology development and demonstration research are being conducted in the Wakamatsu District's Hibikinada area, where companies and academic institutions collaborate on the development of new technologies. Especially, efforts are being made to demonstrate new technologies aimed at improving recycling processes and reducing environmental impact. Companies are contributing to sustainable industrial development by bringing these technologies to market.

- International Cooperation:
- The Kitakyushu International Technology Cooperation Association (KITA) is leading the transfer of environmental technologies, joint research, and technical training. Companies based in the Hibikinada area are actively participating in international cooperation projects, playing a key role in technology transfer and training programs, particularly for developing countries.

- Achievements and Evaluation:
- These efforts have earned Kitakyushu City high praise as a leading city in environmental industries both domestically and internationally, establishing it as a model for sustainable economic development. In particular, the activities of companies based in the Hibikinada area have greatly contributed to the development of regional environmental technologies.

- Promotion of Environmental Management:
- Kitakyushu City is promoting the acquisition of ISO14001 and is advancing environmental conservation activities within city businesses and public institutions. Many companies have adopted this environmental management system, leading to enhanced environmental awareness and effective environmental conservation activities.