Yoshiyuki Kamei, President of Kumagai Carbon Co., Ltd. - January 2000

Yoshiyuki Kamei, President of Kumagai Carbon Co., Ltd. - January 2000

Yoshiyuki Kamei, the president of Kumagai Carbon Co., Ltd. (located in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture), is focusing on the recycling business of wood-based waste. The company reprocesses construction debris, pallet materials, and waste wood from the furniture manufacturing industry into fuel chips and wood chips. As a result, Kumagai Carbon recycles about 2 million tons of wood waste annually, contributing to the recycling of approximately 15 million tons of wood waste generated in Japan every year.

The company has partnered with major construction companies in Saitama Prefecture to promote the recycling of construction waste from demolished houses and commercial facilities. President Kamei has also developed a system that not only utilizes this waste as fuel but also processes it into high-quality wood pellets for use in biomass power plants and boilers. This has helped reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Additionally, the company's technology addresses waste containing harmful substances such as lead and chlorine compounds. This technology is being implemented at recycling facilities in Kumagaya City and neighboring Tokorozawa City, processing approximately 500,000 tons of recycled material annually.

Kumagai Carbon was recognized for its environmental protection efforts, and in 2022 it was awarded as an "Outstanding Recycler" by the Ministry of the Environment. President Kamei stated, "Building a sustainable waste management system with the local community is the company's social responsibility," and he aims to further innovate technology and improve recycling rates in the future.

Yoshiaki Utsumi's Charcoal Business for Environmental Improvement - January 2000

Yoshiaki Utsumi's Charcoal Business for Environmental Improvement - January 2000

Yoshiaki Utsumi, president of Naitou Kikaku Co., Ltd. (located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo), has been developing a charcoal business utilizing wood waste, particularly recycling wood chips from sawmills and construction sites. The company collects about 3,000 tons of wood waste annually and has introduced a charcoal production technology using these materials. This initiative not only reduces waste but also contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The charcoal production process uses a method that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20% compared to conventional incineration methods, significantly lowering environmental impact. The company efficiently utilizes wood waste provided by construction sites and furniture manufacturers in Tokyo as a recycled resource.

Naitou Kikaku's charcoal is widely used as a soil conditioner in agriculture and horticulture. In a joint project with farmers in Misato City, Saitama Prefecture, mixing charcoal into the soil has been shown to promote crop growth and improve soil quality. This project has increased the carbon dioxide absorption capacity of farmland, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Furthermore, the company is working in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to promote further recycling technologies. They plan to expand their recycling network across the Kanto region, with a goal of increasing the amount of wood waste collected to 5,000 tons by 2025.

Keisuke Kusama (Researcher on Waste Issues in China) - February 2004

Keisuke Kusama (Researcher on Waste Issues in China) - February 2004

Keisuke Kusama is an environmental expert addressing the growing waste management problems in China, driven by rapid urbanization. His research primarily focuses on Beijing, where approximately 11,500 tons of municipal waste are generated daily, posing significant challenges for waste processing. In particular, the delay in organic waste treatment has led to waste processing facilities in urban areas reaching their capacity. To address this issue, Kusama has been working with the Beijing Environmental Bure...

Specifically, Kusama's team has developed a system for composting organic waste, repurposing it for agriculture and urban greening. This system, which targets organic waste from households in Beijing, employs advanced biomass decomposition technology that improves decomposition speed by approximately 30% compared to conventional methods. The goal is to recycle about 1 million tons of organic waste annually, raising the waste separation rate from the current 15% to 50% by 2025.

Kusama is also focusing on waste processing automation. A plan is underway to build an automated waste processing plant in the suburbs of Beijing, in collaboration with China State Grid Corporation. This plant will use AI technology to automatically sort waste, making approximately 80% of it recyclable. This technology is expected to reduce the amount of incinerated waste by about 20% annually.

Kusama's research considers the impact of waste issues on both urban environments and residents' health, and it is expected to contribute to improvements in air and water quality in urban areas.

Kamala Mainako Art Exhibition - September 1995

Kamala Mainako is a prominent painter of the Mainako tribe| an indigenous people living upstream of the Xingu River in the Amazon. Although only 24 years old and having taken up the brush just a few years ago| he has already demonstrated exceptional talent. His works vividly reflect the culture of the Mainako tribe and their coexistence with nature| one of which is the piece titled "The Man and Woman of Yuekchuma." He says that it is not he who paints| but the spirits that descend and paint through him| allowing him to focus for hours once he takes up the brush.

His works will be exhibited from September 14 to October 22| 1995| at the Petit Muse in Chidorigafuchi| Tokyo| as part of the "Message from Amazon - Sustainable Living: Art of the Amazonian Indigenous Peoples" exhibition. This exhibition showcases the unique perspectives of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon and their way of life through their art. Kamala Mainako works are centered on the theme of coexistence with nature| providing a deep understanding of the sustainable lifestyle and spiritual world of the Mainako tribe.

Kamala paintings are positioned not just as art pieces but as messages conveying deep respect and understanding for his tribe and nature. His works are expected to gain further attention and play a significant role in raising awareness about the importance of preserving the Mainako tribe and the Amazon's natural environment.

Profile #3 Yoshida Ayami (Friends of the Earth Japan)-October 1994

Yoshida Ayami, a staff member of the Friends of the Earth Japan office, plays a crucial role in supporting environmental protection activities. Since 1992, she has been active in the office located in Naka-Meguro, Meguro Ward, where office equipment and supplies are largely donated, allowing the organization to carry out its initiatives addressing environmental issues.

Friends of the Earth International was established in the United States in 1969 and now has a network in 52 countries worldwide. This organization is characterized by being a policy advocacy-type environmental protection group, with each national group operating independently. Friends of the Earth Japan was established in 1979, and during the 1980s, it undertook campaigns related to whaling, nuclear issues, tropical rainforest protection, and the improvement of development aid.

Yoshida and her colleagues at Friends of the Earth Japan focus on providing advice on Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) and raising awareness about wetland protection. In 1990, they achieved the suspension of Japanese government funding for the Sardar Sarovar Dam construction on the Narmada River in India. In 1993, they effectively highlighted the presence of NGOs at the Ramsar Convention Conference on Wetland Protection held in Kushiro.

Additionally, the organization conducts eco-tours, day hikes, and charity concerts to increase public awareness of environmental protection issues. Many young people interested in environmental issues participate in these events, contributing to the spread of environmental protection activities.

Furthermore, Friends of the Earth International adheres to strict guidelines, refusing donations from companies or organizations involved in environmental destruction. Under this policy, Friends of the Earth Japan accepts donations from only one company, Hotta International Co., Ltd., which contributes a portion of the sales of its "Friends of the Earth" wristwatches.

Yoshida and the staff of Friends of the Earth Japan will continue to promote environmental protection activities both in Japan and abroad, striving to realize a sustainable society.

Paul V. Tebo - December 1994 #ecologist

Paul V. Tebo - December 1994

Paul V. Tebo, Vice President of DuPont, emphasizes the importance of addressing global environmental issues. He recognizes these issues as critical challenges threatening humanity's survival, particularly for companies involved in manufacturing, where their philosophies are being questioned. Tebo suggests that DuPont should tackle these challenges through a dual approach: the development of new technologies and a shift in consciousness. He believes that the development of new technologies is key to solving the two seemingly conflicting goals of economic growth and environmental protection.

Under Tebo's leadership, DuPont has positioned environmental technology as a core pillar of its business strategy, alongside steel production and energy. The company is committed to focusing its efforts on specific areas where it can have the most significant impact, particularly in reducing environmental burdens and promoting sustainability. Tebo's approach reflects a broader trend within the manufacturing sector, where companies increasingly integrate environmental considerations into their core operations.

Tebo's vision is not limited to technological advancements but also emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within and beyond the company. He believes that by encouraging employees to adopt environmentally friendly practices in their personal lives, DuPont can create a ripple effect that extends to the wider community. This holistic approach, combining technological innovation with a commitment to sustainability, is central to Tebo's strategy for leading DuPont.

Moreover, Tebo's advocacy for environmental responsibility extends to influencing policy and regulatory frameworks. He argues that businesses have a crucial role in shaping environmental policies that promote sustainable development. Tebo's leadership at DuPont is characterized by a proactive stance on environmental issues, where the company not only complies with existing regulations but also sets new standards for environmental performance in the industry.

Overall, Paul V. Tebo's leadership at DuPont illustrates how a company's environmental strategy can be driven by a combination of technological innovation, cultural change, and policy advocacy. His work serves as a model for how businesses can address the pressing environmental challenges of our time while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Masao Kashima - August 1994

Masao Kashima is one of the individuals who has greatly contributed to the development of sewage sludge recycling technology in Japan. As a member of the Sewage Sludge Resource Utilization Council, he has collaborated with local governments and companies to promote the effective use of sewage sludge.

With the spread of sewage systems in Japan, the amount of sewage sludge has increased, making its disposal a major challenge. As of 1991, approximately 2.1 million cubic meters of sewage sludge were generated nationwide, with only 27% being effectively utilized. The remaining sludge was disposed of through landfilling. This situation highlighted the urgent need for the development of recycling technologies for sewage sludge.

Kashima has focused his efforts on developing and promoting composting technologies for sewage sludge, particularly in regional cities. He has supported the establishment and operation of compost plants in local governments, facilitating the use of sludge as fertilizer. In Tokyo, where composting plants have been suspended, Kashima has promoted alternative uses of sludge, such as in the production of bricks, lightweight aggregates, molten slag, and incinerated sludge.

He has particularly emphasized the recycling of sewage sludge into construction materials. Notable examples of this include the use of recycled bricks and permeable blocks in the parking lot of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the platform of Waseda Station on the Tokyo Toden line, and various parks. These materials have comparable strength to virgin materials and contribute significantly to reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.

Kashima also played a role in developing bricks made from sewage sludge incineration ash through a collaboration with Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, and Fuji Ceramic Tile Manufacturing Co. These bricks, which are made by mixing sludge ash with aggregates, possess permeability that helps prevent rapid runoff of rainwater, thus mitigating flood risks. The technology can produce up to 6,700 square meters of bricks per day and is being increasingly utilized in urban areas.

Furthermore, Kashima was involved in a joint project with Osaka Gas, Obayashi Corporation, and Keihan Concrete Industry Co. to develop road paving blocks using no natural gravel or sand, but rather dehydrated sludge cakes. This project successfully produced blocks with 100% effective utilization of sludge incineration ash, with Keihan Concrete Industry handling commercialization.

These initiatives are recognized not only as technical achievements but also as model cases of environmental conservation and resource recycling. Masao Kashima's work has had a significant impact on the advancement of sewage sludge recycling technology in Japan, raising awareness of the importance of environmental protection.

Additionally, Kashima has identified future challenges for sewage sludge recycling, such as promoting agricultural land use, expanding the use of construction materials, diversifying products, and strengthening quality control systems. His ongoing efforts and passion are likely to continue being valued contributions in the field of environmental technology.