ENVIRONMENT
In the period of rapid economic growth after World War II, environmental policies were
downplayed by the government and industrial corporations; as a result, environmental pollution
was widespread in the 1950s and 1960s. Responding to rising concern, the government
introduced several environmental protection laws in 1970. The oil crisis in 1973 also encouraged
the efficient use of energy because of Japan's lack of natural resources.
As of 2015, more than 40 coal-fired power plants are planned or under construction in Japan,
following the switching-off of Japan's nuclear fleet following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Prior to this incident, Japan's emissions had been on the decline, largely due to nuclear power
plants creating no emissions. Japan ranks 20th in the 2018 Environmental Performance Index,
which measures a nation's commitment to environmental sustainability. As the host and signatory
of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, Japan is under treaty obligation to reduce its carbon dioxide
emissions and to take other steps to curb climate change. Current environmental issues include
urban air pollution (NOx, suspended particulate matter, and toxics), waste management, water
eutrophication, nature conservation, climate change, chemical management and international cooperation
for conservation.