ENIVRONMENT ASIA

Volume 13, No. 02, Month MAY, Year 2020, Pages 1 - 14

Lessons learned from countermeasures against air pollution in japan

Turenjai Doolgindachbaporn and Okamoto Shin’ichi

Abstract Download PDF

This paper provides a discussion of environmental issues associated with air pollution and countermeasures in developed countries, especially in Japan. In the air quality administration, there are environmental standards and emission standards. In Japan, environmental standards are considered administrative goals and there is no legal enforcement in itself. On the other hand, emissions standards are enforceable, penalties apply to people and companies that do not comply. There are two ways to manage the environment. One is a mandatory system and the other is self-management. If voluntary activities can realize a good environment, total cost including social expenses can be expected to be smaller than so called commandand- control system such as regulatory measures by the administration. In free markets where price competition is intense, there is a serious hurdle to voluntarily adopt such measures. However, it seems desirable to see the attitude of actively working as an industry.

Keywords

Air quality, Air pollution, Regulation, Air quality management

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