History of Water Pollution Control

1. Although it is likely that the problem of water pollution in Japan began before industrial modernization, the first recorded major case of water pollution affecting human life and livelihood occurred during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). This problem resulted the dumping of mine waters from the Ashio Copper Mine into the Watarase River and resulted in poisoning to residents around the turn of century. From this time on, a gradual increase in pollution loads have accompanied the growth of industry and significant water pollution problems emerged in various parts of Japan.
2. During the period of industrial reconstruction following World War II water pollution problems emerged again, and disasters, such as the methylmercury-induced Minamata disease on the southwestem part of Kyushu, first appeared around 1955. In response, some local governments started establishing their own water pollution regulations, In 1958 the central government promulgated two water quality laws called Water Quality Control Law and Industrial Efiluent Control Law to start controlling the water pollution regulatively. However, these two laws were insufficient to respond to increased needs of environmental protection because of their limited areas and less stringent control.
Water pollution in Tagonoura
(Fuji-City)
3. Rapid economic growth during the 1 960's caused a spread and intensification of water pollution problems . Mercury contamination in the Agano River produced a second case of Minamata disease, and cadmium contamination in the Jinzu River in Toyama resulted in a terribly painful disease called Itai-itai disease. In 1967, the government enacted the Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control to promote comprehensive countermeasures against the various forms of environmental pollution. In 1970, the so-called "Environmental Pollution Diet" legislated essential improvements to the whole environmental pollution control system. Subsequently, the above-mentioned two water quality laws were unified into a new and strengthened law, the Water Pollution Control Law. In 1971 the Environmental Agancy was established. Administration to manage water envirouments in Japan was turned over to this organization.
4. However, in the 1970s serious water pollution incidents occurred with increasing frequency. The increasing water pollution of the Seto Inland Sea, caused by high population density and industrial activity in its watershed, led to frequent red tides. In response, the Interim Law for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea was enacted in 1973. This law was revised in 1978 and renamed the Law Concerning Special Measures for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea. Comprehensive measures have been taken under this permanent statute to protect the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. Also in 1978, a legal system limiting total allowable pollutant loads into the designated water bodies was established to improve organic marine pollution in bays and inland seas.This system strengthens conventional concentration-oriented control and has been applied to Tokyo Bay and Ise Bay; in addition to the Seto Inland Sea.
Dieoffs of young yellowtails caused by red tide(1975)
5. In recent years not only have COD or BOD not been improving rapidly, particularly in narrow bays, inland seas, lakes serving as reservoirs, and rivers in urban areas, but also chemical pollution problems have worsened. Therefore, the Law Concerning Special Measures for Preservation of Lake Water Quality was established in 1984 and a revision of the Water Pollution Control Law was passed in 1989 to prevent underground water pollution by toxic substances. As for the sea area, the Environmental Agancy has developed EQS and uniform effluent standards for nitrogen and phosphorus to prevent eutrophication of coastal seas. In addition, in 1996, Water Pollution Control Law was amended, with incorporating purification of polluted groundwater, and in 1997, EQS for groundwater were established.
A river in urban areas polluted by domestic effluents(1993)
6. Exhaust of dioxins from waste incinerators became social concern in 1998. In response to the problem, the Law Concerning Special Measures Against Dioxins was enacted in July 1999, and the environmental quality standards and effluent control standards were established based on the new act. The effluent control of dioxins became effective in January 2000, and the water quality (including groundwater) and soils have been observed regularly from April 2000. In 2001 Ministry of the Environment was established, and turned over the management of water environment of the Enviroumental Agency.