Yoshinari Noda: Editor, Environmental News in Japan
The Environmental News (Kankyō Shimbun), first published in 1965, is a weekly professional newspaper specializing in environmental business, regulations, energy, and climate change. It is widely subscribed to by both public- and private-sector organizations involved in environmental fields and environmental businesses. The newspaper has a circulation of approximately 74,000 copies. Mr.Noda is an editor of the newspaper
Pollution Prevention and Remediation
- Q: In the field of environmental business, which areas of traditional pollution control are currently attracting attention?
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There is growing interest in PFAS.
On June 30, 2025, a ministerial ordinance was promulgated to newly establish drinking water standards for PFOS and PFOA, two substances that had previously only been subject to provisional guidelines. The concentration standard for these two substances is set at a total of 50 nanograms per liter.
In addition to drinking water, these two substances will also be given guideline values for public water areas such as rivers and groundwater. These lead increasing demand for measurement (certification of measurement results) related to these substances.
As for soil standards, discussions are still ongoing, and it is not yet decided whether regulations will be put in place. However, some advanced companies have already begun PFAS investigations at their factories. Some remediation companies are providing remedial services using technologies imported from the United States. - Q: What measures are being considered to address aging infrastructure?
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In June 2025, the Japanese government approved a Mid-Term National Resilience Plan, allocating more than 20 trillion yen over the next five years, with sector-specific targets set to begin from fiscal year 2026. As we saw the sewer collapse fatal accident this spring, aging infrastructure are serious issues and long-term challenge. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) established a new framework in April 2024 to manage water supply and sewage systems in an integrated manner, thereby accelerating measures to address aging water infrastructure. Some companies are now offering services that utilize Israeli satellite data to identify and locate aging infrastructure in order to find priority maintenance or repair.
Circular Economy
- Q: In addition to climate change, policies on the circular economy appear to be gaining momentum. How do you see this trend?
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Although Japan has existing recycling-related legislation, a large proportion of waste, including food, plastics, and textiles, has traditionally been disposed of through incineration. In response to legislative developments in Europe promoting the use of recycled materials, the Japanese government approved the “Circular Economy Transition Acceleration Package” in December 2024. This initiative aims to accelerate resource circulation for metals, plastics, and other materials and to establish a domestic circular economy framework.
New Legal Framework for Advanced Recycling Businesses:
- Q: Please tell me about the background behind the creation of this package and how it differs from previous approaches.
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Currently, approximately 90% of waste treatment in Japan is handled by small and medium-sized enterprises. To promote the commercialization of more advanced resource recovery and recycling technologies, a new law was enacted and came into effect in February 2025. Under this law, businesses certified by the Minister of the Environment are now permitted to conduct waste recycling activities without obtaining conventional waste treatment permits under the Waste Management Act. Furthermore, in advanced recycling operations, subcontracting waste treatment—which was previously prohibited in principle—is now allowed. The Ministry of the Environment will announce detailed guidance and requirements for these advanced recycling businesses shortly.
Mandatory Use of Recycled Plastics in Automobile Manufacturing:
- Q: Is the regulation of the European automotive industry also part of the background?
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In Europe, regulations will require that 25% of plastics used in automobile manufacturing be recycled materials by 2031. In response, Japan established a new arterial and venous industries consortium in 2024 to secure a stable supply of recycled plastics in both quantity and quality.
This public-private-academic consortium, for which the Ministry of the Environment serves as the secretariat, aims to develop a recycled plastics market specifically for the automotive sector. This initiative is also fostering new collaboration between manufacturers and waste treatment companies — a partnership that did not exist in the past. - Q: Are there any other new policies or initiatives?
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Municipal Resource Circulation Forum:
The Ministry of the Environment is planning to hold a nationwide forum in September, bringing together local governments to promote resource circulation. This will include soliciting participation from leading municipalities, implementing model projects, providing resource circulation assessments for municipalities, and supporting start-ups. Similar to existing framework that advances local government leadership on decarbonization, this initiative aims to accelerate municipal efforts in resource circulation. -
Global Circularity Protocol (GCP) for Resource Circulation:
Following the global frameworks of TCFD (climate-related) and TNFD (nature-related), international initiatives on resource circulation are progressing. In 2021, Japan proposed the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Principles (CEREP) at the G7 as a global standard for resource circulation. Building on this, the Global Circularity Protocol (GCP) was launched in 2023 in collaboration with WBCSD and was endorsed at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in 2023. The Japanese government has declared its active support for this initiative and is promoting related policies as I talked. Japanese companies are also expected to expand their efforts in this area. -
Establishment of a Recycling System for E-Scrap from ASEAN Countries in Japan:
Japan is working with five ASEAN countries — Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia — to develop guidelines and promote the recycling of e-waste (electronic waste). Within the OECD, Japan aims to increase the annual recycling volume from the current maximum of 360,000 tons to 500,000 tons by 2030. This initiative is also expected to help prevent pollution from electronic waste in ASEAN countries. Japanese metal material and recycling companies are anticipated to participate actively in this project.
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Climate related technology and transition
- Q: How do you see the current trends and technologies related to climate change measures and the transition towards decarbonization?
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Perovskite Solar Cells:
Perovskite solar cells, originally invented by Japanese researchers, are receiving increasing policy support to promote future adoption. In 2025, the Japanese government approved a Cabinet decision setting targets to install solar panels on 50% of government-owned buildings by 2030 and 100% by 2040. As part of this initiative, the proactive installation of perovskite solar cells was also specifically mandated. Out of approximately 22,000 government-owned buildings, about 4,400 locations are identified as suitable for wall-mounted installations (see reference materials below). Additionally, from autumn 2025, a subsidy program will be launched for a two-year period to cover two-thirds to three-quarters of installation costs for local governments and private companies that adopt perovskite solar panels. -
Offshore Wind Power:
On June 3, 2025, Japan revised the Renewable Energy Sea Area Utilization Act to allow the installation of offshore wind power facilities within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This is part of Japan’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Construction companies such as Toda Corporation are leading these initiatives.
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- Q: What kind of initiatives or developments are underway in relation to next-generation fuels?”
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Methanation:
Methanation technology, which produces methane from CO₂ and hydrogen for use in city gas, is a key initiative to decarbonize the gas supply. For city gas companies, it represents a crucial strategy to maintain their existing infrastructure while sustaining their core business. Major players such as Tokyo Gas and Osaka Gas are actively participating. -
E-Fuel (Synthetic Fuel from CO₂ and Hydrogen):
ENEOS and Idemitsu are advancing research into E-Fuel, a synthetic fuel made from CO₂ and hydrogen, exploring its potential as a replacement for conventional combustion fuels in vehicles and ships. This technology seems to be promoted in the U.S., with companies like Mitsui & Co. making venture capital investments in this area.
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Source）Environmental Business Journal, Volume 38 Numbers 7/8: Q3 2025
Global Environmental Markets 2025