PART II. PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Section 1. Basic Concepts
Humankind has been receiving benefits from the environment and in doing
so has been imposing a great burden upon it. The environment is limited
and is made up of various ecosystems which exist only through the
maintenance of delicate balances. Moreover, it is the common birthright
of both present and future generations.
Recent population increases and expansions in human activities, however,
have led to over-exploitation of natural resources and a substantial
increase in the amount of waste generated. The scope of these
activities has exceeded the environment's capacity to absorb them and
has resulted in pollution and the burdens of nature. A substantial
expansion of human activities, which transformed traditional
agricultural civilizations into the industrial civilizations of the post-
Industrial Revolution era and then to the modern industrial societies of
today, is largely to blame. It is feared that the accumulation of
environmental burdens inflicted by present human activities is
threatening the global environment and consequently, human life. It is
likewise feared that the impact of these activities will become
irreversible and be passed on to future generations.
There are still many unknown elements regarding the characteristics and
value of the environment. However, anxiety over its degradation and
awareness that preventative measures are necessary to for its conserve
has become common. One point upon which all countries agree is the
necessity of attaining a state of sustainable development. To achieve
this goal, it is necessary for developed countries, including Japan,
which have been imposing great burdens upon the Earth's environment, to
review their behavioral patterns.
Furthermore, developed countries, must work out their plans together
and, under a global partnership, must take affirmative steps to
structure foreign aid so as to meet actual needs in developing countries.
These mutual efforts should be promoted internationally. In Japan,
people are realizing that their materialistic attitudes are resulting in
an environmental crisis and there is an popular movement demanding
modifications. It is not easy to change the norms of socioeconomic
systems or current lifestyles. It is, nonetheless, necessary. All
sectors of society must carry their fair share of the burden to
incorporate the needs of the environment into the economic system.
It must be remembered, that humankind's ability to lead healthy and
cultured lifestyles is entirely due to the abundant blessings of the
Earth's environment. These blessings are meant to be enjoyed by both
present and future generations. Likewise, as joint owners of this
limited environment, people have an obligation to maintain it so that it
might last far into the distant future. Inheriting the wisdom of our
ancestors, who lived within the means of their environment, it is
essential to question the present civilization and change production and
consumption patterns to sustainable ones.
Section 2. Long-Term Objectives
The aforementioned section covers the basic ideas of environmental
policy. The following discussion will introduce the long-term goals of
this policy. Briefly, they are: (1) closed material circulation, (2)
harmonious coexistence, (3) participation, and (4) international effort.
To build the desired relationship between people and the environment,
comprehensive measures shall be promoted.
1. Desired Relationship Between People and the Environment
The environment is finite and is the life support system of humankind.
In the environment, materials circulate between air, water, soil and
living creatures. They break down and reassemble in a constant process
that is characteristic of nature's circulation of materials. The
ecosystem is formed by many delicate balances. In order to conserve a
rich, sound environment, it is necessary to maintain both the entire
system and each individual, component, system in healthy condition. To
achieve this, precautionary measures employing scientific knowledge
should be applied to avoid serious, irreversible negative impacts on the
environment. To harmoniously coexist with nature, nature's own material
circulation should be utilized. In this way, a system incorporating
closed material circulation will emerge from everyday socioeconomic
activities.
2. Long-Term Objectives
The ultimate goal of this Plan is to attain a state of sustainable
development while continuing to conserve a healthy and rich environment.
The following four iv. objectives must be secured to reach this
ultimate goal.
2.1. Environmentally Sound Material Cycle
Burdens on the atmosphere, water and soil are caused by interference
with nature's circulation of materials. To reduce these burdens, our
socioeconomic system must be based upon nature's circulation of
materials. Thus, things removed from the Earth, such as raw materials
and energy, must pass cleanly through our socioeconomic system at every
stage, from production, through the stream of commerce, to consumption
and finally to disposal. Plans to limit the occurrence of waste and to
properly dispose of it are essential. This Plan aims to create such a
system.
2.2. Harmonious Coexistence
The atmosphere, water, soil, wildlife, people and their behavior,
mutually effect one another. It is necessary to work on appropriate
methods to conserve the environment depending on the special way that it
was formed. Such methods include conserving invaluable nature,
maintaining and conserving secondary nature, environmental restoration
and wildlife conservation management. Planning the wise use of nature,
while simultaneously providing places and opportunities to come in
contact with it, will ensure a rich exchange between human beings and
nature. This Plan shall ensure the maintenance and restoration of a
healthy ecosystem and a harmonious coexistence between nature and human
beings.
2.3. Participation
To create a socioeconomic system with closed material circulation and
state of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, comprehensive
policies must be developed with long range views. This means that the
environment must be considered at every step. Wasteful, 'disposable'
lifestyles must be reviewed and people's values and conduct must be
reformed.
Every sector of society needs to fully understand the relationship that
exists between humankind and the environment. It is essential that each
sector also voluntarily and actively participate in efforts to utilize
the environment wisely and to reduce burden to it. It is further
necessary that the cost be fairly spread throughout society. This can
be accomplished by employing the Polluter Pays Principle ("PPP"). Under
this principle, contributions are made depending on the amount of burden
imposed on, or benefits received from the environment, by each
individual or group.
2.4. International Activities
Current global environmental problems are a concern of everyone. No
one country can solve these problems alone. Therefore, it is necessary
for all nations to join together in the effort. Japan's economy is
closely interdependent with the rest of the world. With one of the
larger economies, Japan benefits a great deal from the global
environment and at the same time influences it greatly.
All sectors of society, including the government, shall promote
international cooperation with a view to maintaining a healthy global
environment. By fully utilizing the experiences and technologies that
overcame severe domestic pollution in the past, Japan shall strive to
make significant contributions, appropriate to its position in the
global society.
Section 3. Developing Comprehensive Indicators
The Basic Environment Plan sets long-term objectives for building a
sustainable society, to attain a socioeconomic system of "sound material
cycle", "harmonious coexistence" with nature, "participation" and "
international activities", and provides future direction of measures to
achieve these objectives. It is desirable to specify comprehensive
indicator/indicators which show the progress of these objectives and the
relation between the objectives and measures, in order to ensure
effective implementation of the measures. Whereas studies and research
have been carried out extensively both domestically and abroad, at this
point, there are not enough results to incorporate the indicators in
this Plan. Therefore, the Government will immediately begin working on
development of the comprehensive indicators and utilize the results in
implementing and reviewing the Plan.
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