PART IV. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN
Section 1. Implementation Scheme and Society-wide Cooperation
Upon decision of the Basic Environment Plan, it is essential that all
members of society share common understanding, cooperate together and
act for conservation of the environment. The Government ministries and
agencies shall work closely together through the Cabinet meeting,
related ministers' councils and conferences of ministries and agencies
concerned, to comprehensively and systematically implement the
environmental measures provided in the Plan. Local governments are
expected to promote policies and measures comparable to the State as
well as their own in line with the direction of the Plan and according
to the natural and social conditions of each area, through comprehensive
systematic measures such as establishing a comprehensive environmental
plan.
It is required that the State, local governments, corporations, people
and private organizations cooperate in line with the Plan and in close
partnership to promote various measures and activities voluntarily
sharing fair burden each other. In particular, cooperation between the
State and local governments will be strengthened so as to ensure that
various measures in the Plan are implemented effectively.
The State shall promote systematic collection, accumulation and use of
relevant environmental information in order to monitor, evaluate and
utilize the progress of various measures and activities under the Plan
as well as to disseminate them to the sectors concerned who are
promoting those activities through various means such as publishing
annual white paper on the environment. Measures shall be promoted for
nationwide information exchanges to support the activities of regional
organizations comprised of local governments, corporations and people
aimed at fostering the measures and activities under the Plan.
Section 2. Setting Specific Goals
In order to ensure the effective implementation of measures under the
Plan, efforts will be made to promptly develop comprehensive indicators
concerning the long-term objectives specified in the PART II. Whereas
various specific goals have been set regarding certain measures,
investigations required shall be undertaken from comprehensive viewpoint
in light of the principal directions of the Plan and these goals shall
be reconsidered where necessary so as to ensure the measures will be
effectively implemented. Also, in the fields where necessary, specific
goals shall be set and new programs shall be developed.
Section 3. Financial and Other Measures
The State shall promote financial and other measures necessary to
implement the measures under the Plan. In so doing, it shall take
account of the progress of the Plan and the state of the environment as
well as appropriately ensure the comprehensive promotion of various
public works coherently with the Guideline for budget on the
environmental expenditure, which is set by the Environment Agency every
year.
The State shall, likewise, make efforts to provide necessary financial
and other assistance for expenditures on environmental measures which
are voluntarily implemented by local governments according to the
situations of each locality.
Section 4. Coordination among National Plans
The Basic Environment Plan is the nation's basic plan for environmental
conservation. It is therefore essential that between the Plan and other
national plans, harmony with the Basic Environment Plan should be ensued
relating to environmental conservation.
Other national plans which are exclusively aiming at environmental
conservation shall be formulated and promoted in accordance with the
principal directions of the Basic Environment Plan.
As for other national plans which include provisions on environmental
conservation, these are to be compatible with the principal directions
of the Basic Environment Plan relating to environmental conservation, so
harmonious coordination shall be ensured with the Plan.
Section 5. Follow-up of Progress and Review of the Plan
To ensure steady implementation of the Basic Environment Plan, the
Central Environment Council will follow-up the progress of measures
under the plan every year, hearing the opinions of the public and each
sector of society, and, where necessary, report to the Government on
future policy directions.
The Plan shall be reviewed, responding flexibly and appropriately to
the changes of economy and society in Japan and abroad. The review will
be made in around five years after the Cabinet decision on the Plan.
APPENDICES
1 Consultation to the Council
January 14, 1994
To : Jiro KONDO, Chairman of the Central Environment Council
Morihiro HOSOKAWA, Prime Minister
Regarding the Basic Environment Plan (Consultation)
Based on the Paragraph 3 of Article 15 of the Basic Environment Law, I
hereby consult with the Council as follows.
"How should be the basic plan with regard to environmental conservation
for systematic and comprehensive promotion of the policies for
environmental conservation (the Basic Environment Plan)"
2 Report of the Council
December 9, 1994
To : Tomiichi MURAYAMA, Prime Minister
Jiro KONDO, Chairman of the Central Environment Council
Regarding the Basic Environment Plan (Report)
This is a report as attached on the conclusions of the Central
Environment Council to "Regarding the Basic Environment Plan (
consultation)" dated January 14, 1994, Consultation Number 6.
In the course of deliberations, the Council directly heard the
explanations by Ministries and Agencies concerned, local governments and
private organizations on environmental measures and activities,
published an interim report on deliberation, and held public hearings in
nine places across the country. Through these processes, we heard
opinions from broad sectors of society and made best efforts to
incorporate them in the discussion and the conclusion.
The Council strongly expect the Government to quickly decide the Basic
Environment Plan in accordance with this Report and to comprehensively
and effectively implement the Plan by putting these measures into
practice in cooperation of the whole Government.
As well, the Council hopes that, in consideration of particularly high
public interests on : development and utilization of indicators which
show the progress towards long-term objectives of the Plan aiming at
building a sustainable society, measures concerning global warming,
waste management and recycling program, measures concerning harmonious
coexistence between humankind and nature, environmental education,
environmental impact assessment scheme, economic measures to reduce
environmental load and so on, the Government promotes studies and
investigation in line with the principal direction of the Plan and
implement necessary measures.
In order to build a sustainable society, not only the Government but
also the cooperate efforts of local governments, corporations, people
and private organizations are indispensable. The Council hopes that the
Government pays special attention to the awareness programs, such as
making information available to the public about the content of the Plan
and its implementation progress.
Furthermore, specific proposals or examples of action shown in the
public opinions should be taken into consideration in the policy
implementation by the Government as appropriate.
To contribute to steady implementation of the Basic Environment Plan,
the Council will follow-up the Plan's progress and, as necessary, report
future policy directions to the Government.
3 Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi MURAYAMA
December 16, 1994
Today, the Cabinet meeting decided the Basic Environment Plan.
Since the enactment of the Basic Environmental Law last November, Japan
took its first step in the long journey of new environmental policies
for this era of globalization.. The Basic Environment Plan decided
today is another step forward. It solidifies the outline for realizing
the basic principles and measures provided by the Basic Environmental
Law. The Plan is intended to enable the blessings of the environment to
be enjoyed far into the future by setting forth four long-term
objectives : which are to ensure that 1) human activities interfering
with nature's cycle are minimized, 2) people and nature coexist in
harmony, 3) everyone participates in environmental conservation, and 4)
international activities are promoted. It also clarifies the direction
of Japan's comprehensive environmental policy.
It is my firm conviction that one of the government's basic tasks is to
ensure a safe environment to live in for both ourselves and future
generations, thereby creating a nation that is friendly to people and
the environment. I also believe that these are key roles that Japan
must play internationally. This Plan solidifies these beliefs into
governmental policy.
Hereafter, the government shall be in charge of effecting this Plan.
Our first tasks include the establishment of an action program for
making the government business more environmentally friendly. It is
also essential that the government works together with local governments,
companies, private citizens and civil organizations with each sector
pulling their own weight in this effort. Every member of our society
must take a closer look at and reorganize their routine activities and
lifestyles. These commitments are what pushes us forward in creating a
nation friendly to people and the environment.
I earnestly desire understanding and participation from each citizen to
ensure that the aim of this Plan, which is to attain of sustainable
development with little environmental interference, is achieved.
1 Translator's note : The term "environmental conservation" is used
hereinafter as a translation of Japanese term "kankyo no hozen", which
includes both protection and improvement of the environment.
1 TRANSLATOR'S NOTE : Here, "mountainous areas", "countryside areas", "
areas with high human impacts" are translations of more concise Japanese
words, "sanchi", "satichi" and "heichi".
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