Environmental Management Approaches in Japan: Institutional Policy and Case study

Abstract

Current environmental issues reflect past development practices that lacked consideration of impacts on natural resources and the environment. The results of development focus on economic growth that emphasizes the wealth of countries worldwide. However, the development direction has been changed to focus on the environment. Starting from the year 1984, there was a definition of the word "Sustainable development," which is the main development guideline that many countries worldwide have adopted to determine the direction of national development. Therefore, this academic article aims to study environmental management practices in Japan. Japan is one of the countries that have environmental management guidelines. It is an excellent example of sustainable environmental management. Emphasis is placed on developing the economy, society, and environment together. Considering the benefits of all parties involved, emphasizing four essential principles: prevention guidelines, The polluter pays approach, the Participatory management approach, and decentralization of management. One of Japan's environmental management successes is measures to promote waste recycling. The Japanese government has set a target for Japan's waste recycling rate to increase to 70 percent by 2030 by implementing measures such as enforcing recycling laws. Promoting the business sector and the public sector reuses waste, etc.