Article link: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201606250036.html

When its only incineration plant was closed down in 2000 following news that it had failed to meet national dioxin emission standards, the government of Kamikatsu Town in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku, vowed to have its residents produce “zero waste” within the following two decades. Since then, the town has more than halved its annual waste quantities. The secrets to its waste-reducing success, it seems, include meticulous garbage sorting facilities where residents deposit their rubbish into more than 30 categorised boxes, stores selling used household items, as well as eco-friendly business practices, such as “Bring Your Own Bag” initiatives.

At first glance, the town’s current efforts to minimise its waste implies a return to the undefiled state of “onozukara” (Kalland and Asquith, 10) in nature, with residents living in such a manner that evidence of their use and pollution of their natural environment is minimised. Indeed, this article seems to strengthen popular observations of the Japanese as being “one with nature” (ibid.) in their daily living. At the same time, it is rather interesting to note the economic basis of the town’s waste reduction movement: waste minimisation, while appearing to threaten potential business profits, has also brought in new avenues for revenue in the form of eco-tourism. Certainly, Kamikatsu’s relationship with its environment and the waste it produces bears economic tones that will likely continue to influence the progress of its current movement.

Kamikatsu’s “green”-ness is thanks not only to its reduced waste footprint, but also in cultivating locals’ willingness to keep recycling efforts up. This article provides insights into the possibility of inculcating “green”-ness – in this case, minimising pollution through waste – as practice, and not merely accepting it as a value inherent to the Japanese as scholars like Watsuji Tetsurō have promulgated (Kirby 2011, 74-75). Kamikatsu’s residents are “green” not for simply appreciating “codified nature-focused activities and eco-symbols” (ibid., 69), but instead actively aiding the environment in making sacrifices in their daily habits and lifestyles. Indeed, “green”-ness in Kamikatsu is not merely an afterthought but a conscious, continued effort from the very beginnings of usage, manifesting itself not only in recycling practices but also in not “using things that require later disposal” (Fujinami 2016) to begin with.

Reading this article, it struck me that Kamikatsu’s movement towards “zero waste” is also a result of government-led directives (including guidelines on how to sort one’s rubbish) that are very much reminiscent of historical practices to regulate forest usage in Japan. Perhaps Kamikatsu’s waste reduction efforts could be said to be a part of an ongoing legacy of environmental regulation harking back to Japan’s early history. That visitors from other parts of Japan and not only from overseas flock to Kamikatsu for inspiration for their own waste regulation efforts also reminds us that the notion of Japan as a homogenously “green” nation [as Kirby’s (2011) analysis highlights] is an erroneous one. Indeed, this article is useful in helping us to consider the country’s “green”-ness as particularistic to each of its constituencies.

No. of words: 498

References:

Asquith, Pamela J., and Arne Kalland. 1997. Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives. Richmond, UK: Curzon.

Fujinami, Yu. 2016. “IMPACT JOURNALISM DAY: Shikoku town basks in limelight as it moves toward zero-waste target.” The Asahi Shimbun, Asia & Japan Watch. Accessed August 26, 2016. http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201606250036.html.

Kirby, Peter Wynn. 2011. Troubled Natures: Waste, Environment, Japan. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.

Newspaper link

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/22/business/hurdles-mar-japans-renewable-energy-equation/#.V7qToph97b0

Summary

The article highlights the obstacles that Japan faces in green energy production (and its eventual substitution of fossil fuels). It starts with a promising “attention-grabbing” project in Chiba Prefecture before turning the article around and focusing on the government’s approval of coal mines.

The article proceeds to show the structural inadequacies, public and private resistance, and biasness within Japan’s energy sector. The article attributes the lack of renewable energy focus due to the reduction in nuclear energy and the urgent need for coal/fossil fuel to fill in the gap.

Representation of Japan and the Environment

Japan was constantly represented as pushing for eco-friendly energy sources despite the obstacles faced. The “hurdles” mentioned represents both natural and man-made issues. These includes barriers to the grid, public perception of nuclear power and laziness towards renewables paints Japan as having to content with short-term coal measures given various limitations placed. Notably, the paper anchors Japan’s focus on the environment in relation to the fallout and reactionary measures from the 3/11 Fukushima fiasco.

The environment that is referred to in the paper is the “Human” environment and not the “Natural” one. This is discerned from government’s lack of attention and effort in meeting quotas set during climate change agreements. Instead, focusing on the well-being of society, ensuring that nature is able to serve the energy needs of the masses.

What makes Japan Green?

Despite the article being fixated on coal and forcing renewables to take a back seat, there are green elements that reinforce Japanese love for “green” and “nature”. First, the floating solar farm – slated to be one of the world’s largest – underpins the eco-friendly goals of Japan. This is described by Kirby as “eco symbols… [giving] a veneer of apparent ecological sensitivity” (2016: 69).

Although the solar industry is failing due to high barriers to the Grid, the initial boom captures their green intent. Additionally, the reliance on geothermal heat instead of electricity for onsen – even in present time – points to their green behaviour.

The government’s reduction of nuclear power plants also depicts a somewhat green approach aimed at preventing another 3/11 environmental problem – recognizing their weakness of being in an active tectonic region.

Ideas for Discussion

The article, analysed through political ecology frameworks, reveals the political and economic motivations of different players – government, public and private corporations – and how the environment is on the receiving end of the resultant degradation (Stott and Sullivan, 2000). The uneven power relations between renewable energy producers and fossil fuel corporations with regard to access of the Grid is a key element in the continued degradation of Japan’s environment –  through physical destruction from coal mines and carbon emissions.

Uneven power relations are also seen when the government produces knowledge in favour of their actions by giving flawed reasoning regarding baseload generators. Also, economic motivations and profits are placed over environmental concerns – seen via local resistance to geothermal energy. While it is indeed sustainable, the innkeepers’ refusal to cede their “access and control over resources” portrays the “complex relations” (2000: 257) of society and nature as described by Watts.

[500 words]

Bibliography

Kirby, P.W., 2016. Troubled natures: waste, environment, Japan. University of Hawai’i Press.

Stott, P.A. and Sullivan, S., 2000. Political ecology: science, myth and power.

Watts, M., 2000. Political ecology. A companion to economic geography, 257, p.274.

Article: “Flush, then fill up: Japan taps sewage to fuel hydrogen-powered cars A hydrogen filling station in Fukuoka, Japan.”

In this article, we learn that Japan is looking for more alternative fuel-energy sources, and they have now turned to what was once considered an unlikely source, one that is being flushed out from every household everyday: SEWAGE! Indeed, Japan is researching on ways to turn sewage into an energy source by producing hydrogen from the bio-gas, making it a cleaner form of energy.

This is not an unexpected development in alternative energy. In California, a similar facility was commissioned, but has since been non-operational. How is Japan progressing when even countries as advanced as the United States is giving signals that today’s technologies are not ready to further this development? This is made possible through the support of the Japanese government, and also strong collaboration between industrial powerhouses, Toyota and Mitsubishi, as well as the Kyushu University, paving the way for Japan to be at the forefront of this green technology.

Then again, where does all this energy go to? Based on the companies involved, you would probably have guessed it right: vehicles. Although Japan is already implementing emission standards (JAMA, n.d.), they are going to take another step further in making zero-emission vehicles a possibility through this technology, by harnessing the hydrogen produced for fuelling hydrogen-powered cars. Despite being setback by natural and man-made disasters, Japan is determined to make known their capabilities in hydrogen technologies at the 2020 Olympics (Deign, 2015).

However, they are not without setbacks. For one, this development is still in the preliminary phases; right now it is taking up massive government subsidies to make this venture profitable for companies. Estimates suggest that without the subsidies from the Japanese government, the cost of hydrogen fuel would far exceed its current market price. To be exact, production cost is ten times as much as the cost of hydrogen fuel in today’s market.

As we’ve learnt from the past, it took twenty years to transition to automatic transmission (Thornton, 1997) and another twenty years for Japan to transition today’s hybrid-electric vehicles (Makinen, 2016). To make hydrogen fuel viable, experts suggest that further subsidies are required to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles by the market (Nikkei, 2014). Only then would there be sufficient demand to make the market for hydrogen-powered vehicles viable.

Despite the vast powers of nature, the Japanese have been trying to shape nature with their hands, this time in the form of hydrogen technologies. Like “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”, this article depicts a power struggle between man and nature; man is about to be consumed by a great wave, that is global warming, and the men are desperately trying their best to escape this calamity, unsure if their efforts will bear fruits. This technology is somewhat like Japan’s efforts to quell global warming, but it remains ever so uncertain as to whether their efforts would yield desirable results.

References

Deign, Jason (2015). Green Tech Media, “Japan Makes a Big Bet on the Hydrogen Economy“.Last accessed on 23 Aug 2016.

JAMA (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.) (n.d.).  “Japanese Government Incentives For The Purchase Of Environmentally Friendly Vehicles”. Last accessed on 23 Aug 2016.

Makinen, Julie (2016). Los Angeles Times, “Flush, Then Fill Up: Japan Taps Sewage To Fuel Hydrogen-Powered Cars“. Last accessed on 23 aug 2016.

Nikkei (Asian Review) (2014). Nikkei (Asian Review), “Japan’s Vision For Hydrogen Cars Lacks Oomph“. Last accessed on 23 Aug 2016.

Thornton, Emily. 1997. Bloomberg, “Japan’s Hybrid Cars“. Last accessed on 23 Aug 2016.

Summary

The article describes a growing trend of appreciating moss in Japan, from products which incorporate moss, tours to study moss, and even moss-themed activities such as a moss-ball-making workshop, and a moss mascot. It describes the Japanese affinity with moss by citing the moss metaphor in the national anthem, and how the personification of moss appeals to the Japanese psyche.

Representation of Japan and the environment

The Japanese are seen to be in harmony with the environment. They embrace aspects of nature in their lives through the inclusion of moss-products in their quotidian space, such as moss balls to be hung indoors, and moss finger rings. The article paints the Japanese biome as a bonanza of nature, marvelling at the diversity of moss species to be found in Japan. The Japanese are shown to be eagerly assimilating into this bountiful fudo (Kirby 75), through their study of moss and even engaging in moss-themed vacations offered by resorts.

What makes Japanese ‘green’

The article includes a few instances of Japanese reaction to nature. Manager Hattori mentions that the tending of moss elicits a response of growth, which is appealing to the Japanese. Deriving satisfaction from tending and nurturing nature invites us to see the Japanese as nature lovers, and hence ‘green’.

Prof. Higuchi tells Cambodian officials that moss on temples should be preserved. This constructs the Japanese as green because they promote living alongside nature, rather than separating it from their existence. The juxtaposition between Japan and Cambodia serves to distinguish Japan as greener due to their graceful inclusion of nature.

The article explains the Japanese fascination of moss as transcending mere aesthetic pleasure. It discusses the metaphor of moss, which is seen as intricate and complex, as “[satisfying] a Japanese love of fine detail”, while its toughness “provides a metaphor of permanence”. Because the Japanese are seen to identify with nature on a deeper level, it is implied that they have a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation for nature, thus reinforcing our perception of the Japanese as ‘green’.

Further Discussion

The affection for moss reinforces Kalland & Asquith’s assertion that “It is the small, gentle and intimate aspects of nature that are chosen… for praise in literature and the visual arts” (16). The passive profile of moss is easily ‘tamed’ into novel gifts and products, and can be safely observed on tours.

Ultimately, the depiction of Japanese here conforms to Kirby’s description of using “eco-symbols… [to] give a veneer of apparent ecological sensitivity” (69). Nature has been fetishised, becoming synonymous with the idea of an idyllic, agrarian way of life. It facilitates field trips to mountains and vacations; mediums of escape from the urban.

Interestingly, the article also offers a counterexample to Kirby’s statement that the “most telling commonality is the consistent prizing of the ephemeral in Japan” (83). Prof. Higuchi highlights the appeal of moss on rocks, which symbolises an enduring permanence, and how it is referenced even in the national anthem. Perhaps this is rooted in an appreciation of authenticity, which untouched moss indicates.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/in-japan-moss-gathers-new-fans-1446513218

1. Pfanner, Eric. “In Japan, Moss Gathers New Fans; Moss gathers new fans, who watch it grow and rock with it; Lady Gaga’s snub.” Wall Street Journal (Online), 2 Nov. 2015, wsj.com/articles/in-japan-moss-gathers-new-fans-1446513218. Accessed 17 Aug. 2016.

2. Kalland, Arne. and Asquith, Pamela. J. “Japanese perceptions of nature: ideals and illusions.” Japanese Images of Nature. Richmond, UK, Curzon, 1997.

3. Kirby, Peter Wynn. “The Cult(ures) of Japanese Nature.” Troubled natures: waste, environment, Japan. Honolulu, University of Hawai’i Press, 2011.

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/disposable-homes-japan-environment-lifespan-sustainability

This article describes how Japan’s disposable home culture is an environmental burden to the country. Today, a house in Japan has an average lifespan of 30 years, whereby 50% of houses are demolished within 38 years. House value also depreciates to near zero within the first 15 years. Since the past, Japan has been in a cycle of constant house demolition and restoration. During post-World War II period, most structures were destroyed and have to be built from scratch. However, these buildings were not of good quality and have to be rebuilt again. Till today, houses are still repeating this pattern but primarily to suit the government’s building code. This legal regulation will be reviewed every 10 years to adapt to earthquake risk. Instead of spending money to retrofit houses, most people just build new homes. This is not financially viable as people work hard to pay off mortgage that amounts to nothing. Most importantly, this breeds a range of environmental problems, especially for the construction sector.

In the disposable home culture, heaps of construction wastes are produced, and more than 80% of it could be recycled. Since the year 2000, Japan government passed a Law on Recycling of Construction-Related Materials. Concrete waste was recycled as roadbed gravel but there were more discarded concrete than roads available. Consequently, illegal dumping of construction wastes emerges and this accounts for 70% of illegally discarded waste nationwide. Even if waste were to be recycled, the process itself is energy exhaustive and yields less valuable materials than the ones discarded. To top it all, Japanese view houses as perishable and thus neglects proper maintenance of houses. Aggregating all these factors together, the construction industry is not environmentally friendly. Statistics shows the construction sector being the top emitter of carbon dioxide in Japan, releasing 244.78 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

It is tough for Japan to withdraw from this cycle, as their preference for wood as building material is a cultural phenomenon. This bandwagon effect is influenced by Japanese perception of nature, whereby their environment is considered benevolent. To maximize contact between inner and outer environments, the Japanese tend to rebuild their dwellings to adjust living spaces for changing conditions (Murato, 1985). Hence, wood as a major structural ingredient was chosen for its reproducibility and easy usage. However, most timber homes are made from imported woods, despite Japan being heavily forested. This inflates the carbon footprint of the construction industry, making it a culturally driven environmental problem.

One solution proposed by the author is to stop promoting home ownership, which corresponds to a 200-year home law. This would avert the need for houses to meet building standards and non-compliance would not warrant its people to pay tax. Providing more condominiums is a good option too. Additionally, renovation companies can promote green buildings and longer-lasting homes to create this necessary shift.

References

1) Braw, E. (2014, May 2). Japan’s disposable home culture is an environmental and financial headache. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/disposable-homes-japan-environment-lifespan-sustainability

2) Laws and Support Systems for Promoting Waste Recycling in Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://nett21.gec.jp/Ecotowns/LawSupportSystems.pdf

3) Murota, Y. 1985. Culture and the environment in Japan. Environmental management, 9(2), 105-111.

The Editorial Board. (2014). A Ruling to Protect Whales. The New York Times, The Opinion Pages, April 1, 2014. Last Assessed October 26, 2014 at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/opinion/a-ruling-to-protect-whales.html

In this article, Japan was slapped with orders by the International Whaling Commission to stop its whaling activities in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Japan faced international condemnation for its killing of endangered whale species, and its scientific whaling programs were dismissed as fronts for commercial whaling, in light of a lack of visible results coming from such research. This article is evidently written in favor of the IWC, with the writer justifying the IWC “rightly [ordering] Japan to stop its whaling activities” and the writer advising Japan to stop its whaling activities so as to avoid further public condemnation.

This article is interesting because it presents a case of Japan being portrayed in a very negative light with regards to its relation with nature – i.e. its interaction with whales and its practice of whaling is condemned and seen as being un-environmental, a picture very unlike that we have seen in other aspects of the environmental discourse, where the Japanese tend to be lauded as an example to follow – in waste disposal, efficient energy usage and the like. Here, Japan does not come across as a national in harmony with nature, but rather existing in opposition to nature, whereby its relation with nature is characterized by unsustainable extraction and exploitation of nature.

At the same time, we see quite a bit of discrepancy and inconsistencies in the IWC’s logic behind conservation and anti-whaling. The ruling of the IWC was justified on the grounds of protecting endangered species, and Japan was issued a court order to revoke all whaling licenses. Yet, the four species of whales targeted for Japanese research – Minke, Sei, Bryde’s and Sperm – are not considered endangered despite their subjection to heavy whaling[1]. It is then questionable as to why these whale species should be protected from whaling activities, and questions the rationale behind IWC’s rulings. A representative of New Zealand was quoted saying that “The size of the whale populations is irrelevant. My government’s policy is that not a single whale should be killed; I ask the IWC to adopt measures in harmony with this policy.[2]“Such discrepancies in data and discourse cast more ambiguity on the issue of whaling and the rationale behind it.

While attitudes towards nature are critical in ensuring that human-nature interactions are carried out in a sustainable manner, the issue of whaling also reveals how interactions with nature are greatly determined by the society’s view on nature and the tendency to assign value to certain aspects of nature over others[3]. It also sheds light on how nature resources can be understood very differently by different people(s) based on history/ culture etc., thereby throwing into question the applicability of using international yardsticks to judge how green or how in sync with nature a country is.

Name of article: Responsibility for reactor restarts a hot potato

Link:http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/07/17/national/responsibility-for-reactor-restarts-a-hot-potato/#.VEzzsouUfO8

This article highlights the question on where the responsibility lies with regards to the plans to restart two reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co’s nearby Sendai nuclear plant, which is located about 50 kilometers from Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano. The authority has repeatedly claimed that natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are unpredictable.  Following the meltdowns at the Fukashima Daiichi plant and eruption of Mount Ontake, concerns from the public, regarding the operational safety checks, has escalated. The public’s attention has fallen on the regulators, with many accusing them of being inadequate in the management of nuclear disasters. However, the both the government and the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) refused to take up responsibility of the touchy issue.

Being positioned on the “Ring of Fires” with more than 100 active volcanoes, it is literally impossible to prevent the occurrence of natural disasters. Furthermore, it is simply impossible to find a location that is hundred percent safe and economically viable to build a nuclear plant. Japan is constantly struggling with the need to uphold its “green nation” slogan and keep up with the world’s economy at the same time. Nevertheless, the trade off between environmental sustainability and economical progress has always been a challenge that most modern nations face. However, what that put Japan in an even more difficult position is its geographical constraints. It is necessary for Japan to activate nuclear power to reduce imports of “expensive fossil fuels, pushing electricity bills higher”, if the nation wants to achieve economic efficiently. From this aspect, the government is definitely more relevant in the matter of restarting the reactors.

 Obtaining nuclear power comes with a risk that is entirely unavoidable. One would not find fault with the occurrence of natural disasters, as it does not jeopardize the notion of “greenness” of a nation. In fact, it is part of the green and nature environment. However, what is problematic is the presence of human civilization in the midst of the greeneries. In light of the article, the greenness of Japan is only compromised when nuclear power intersects with the aftermath of a natural disaster. Therefore, as long as humans exists within the Japan’s national boundary, the demand for rapid economic development is nonnegotiable and Japanese have to be prepared to embrace the environmental threats that comes along with it.  In this case, the responsibility essentially falls on the government, since the national interest is at stake. The NRA can be viewed as merely an actor in the facilitation of the national economy.

Name of article: Surplus green energy eyed for fuel cell cars in Japan

Link: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001620485

http://transport.asiaone.com/news/general/story/surplus-green-energy-eyed-fuel-cell-cars-japan

My article is about a model project started by the Environment Ministry of Japan in which surplus electricity generated from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power will be utilized to produce hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles. A growing number of companies in the solar and wind power generation industries have established their business bases in Hokkaido, whose wide, open spaces are well suited to the setup of solar panels and wind turbines. It also highlights the benefit of utilizing power from renewable energy sources, stating that this would result in “lower carbon dioxide emissions than producing hydrogen from fossil fuels.” The government has set a target of building 100 hydrogen filling stations by the end of fiscal 2015, and also plans to install solar panels at these stations so hydrogen can be produced on-site. This project also coincides with Toyota’s introduction of its fuel cell vehicles on the market by 2015. Executives at Germany’s Volkswagen have also said that fuel cell vehicles are unlikely to catch on outside Japan, where the government wants a “hydrogen society” with fuel cells powering offices, homes, and cars.

In doing this, Japan perpetuates its “green” image by showing its aim to maximize the use of green energy and even using surplus power, as well as spreading the use of fuel cell vehicles. It paints a very idealistic picture of the project, only presenting the ministry’s plans and ideas in a positive light, without any mention of any possible problems or setbacks this project might face, or the responses of Japanese society. This also helps to boost the Japanese government’s public image, through demonstrating their efforts in becoming more environmentally friendly and the increasing use of renewable and greener energy sources, especially with the controversy over nuclear power. However, it remains to be seen whether Japan’s society will embrace fuel cell vehicles.

Also, although using renewable energy sources and producing hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles may appear to be more environmentally friendly as compared to using fossil fuels or nuclear energy, the establishment of solar panels, wind turbines and business bases by companies in places like Hokkaido with an abundance of wide open spaces are affecting nature and the environment. This echoes Kalland and Asquith’s point that “environmental features falling outside the valued aesthetic and symbolic boundaries tended to be ignored, considered irrelevant, or judged unappealing”, and “Japan’s appreciation for nature was limited and idealized.” This is demonstrated in how Hokkaido’s green plains are not seen as “aesthetically pleasing” in any way, and hence conveniently ignored, eventually being removed and replaced by industrial companies and solar panels or wind turbines. It accentuates the contradictory stance Japan has towards nature, where they ironically destroy nature to appear “environmentally conscious and friendly” by establishing alternative energy sources.

References:

Asquith, P. J. and Kalland, A. 1997. ‘Japanese Perceptions of Nature: Ideals and Illusions,’ in Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives ed. Asquith, P. J. and Kalland, A., Curzon Press, UK: 1-35.