I. OVERVIEW
Japan has the world's
third-largest economy,
having achieved remarkable
growth in the second half
of the 20th Century after
the devastation of World
War II. Its role in the
international community is
considerable. It is a major aid donor and a source of global
capital and credit. More than three quarters of the population
live in sprawling cities on the coastal fringes of Japan's four
mountainous, heavily-wooded islands.
Japan's rapid post-war expansion - propelled by highly
successful car and consumer electronics industries - ran out of
steam by the 1990s under a mounting debt burden that successive
government have failed to address. The 1997 Asian financial
crisis, and bouts of recession, precipitated major banking,
public spending and private sector reforms. Japan remains a
traditional society with strong social and employment hierarchies
- Japanese men have tended to work for the same employer
throughout their working lives. But this and other traditions are
under pressure as a young generation more inclined towards
Western culture and ideas grow up.
Japan is situated in north eastern Asia between the North
Pacific and the Sea of Japan. The area of Japan is 377,873 square
kilometres, nearly equivalent to Germany and Switzerland combined
or slightly smaller than California. Japan consists of four major
islands, surrounded by more than 4,000 smaller islands
Hokkaido (northern island) 83,000 square kilometer
Honshu (main island) 231,000 square kilometer
Shikoku (smallest island) 19,000 square kilometer
Kyushu (southern island) 42,000 square kilometer
Language
There is only one official language spoken in Japan, which is
of course Japanese However, many Japanese are able to understand
English to a certain extent since English is the foreign language
that everyone must learn as part of compulsory education. Even if
you don't understand Japanese, you can still certainly enjoy
Japan. But if you know a few everyday Japanese phrases then it
will make your trip even more memorable. A few words make a big
difference.
Population
Japan's population is over 126 million. Most Japanese reside
in densely populated urban areas. Japan's capital city is Tokyo.
The population of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area including the city,
some of its suburbs and the surrounding area is approximately 12
million.
Major cities of Japan and their approximate populations
City Population
Tokyo 12,059,000
Yokohama 3,426,000
Osaka 2,598,000
Nagoya 2,171,000
Sapporo 1,822,000
Kobe 1,493,000
Fukuoka 1,290,000
Sendai 1,008,000
II. HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY
Japan has a long history
with the first humans arriving
around 35,000 B.C.. The
position of Japan relative to
the Asian mainland had played
a significant role in the
country's development.
Although the archipelago is
situated near the mainland,
there is still a considerable amount of open sea, which separates
the two landmasses. Throughout most of Japan's history, it has
been closed to the outside world refusing to open its borders to
foreigners. The sakoku policy, literal translation "locked
country", enacted in 1633 by the Tokugawa Shogunate prevented
foreigners from entering Japan on penalty of death. The same
policy also prevented Japanese from leaving Japan. The first
historical documents mentioning Japan date to around the 5th
century. Japanese myth holds that Emperor Jimmu was the first
emperor of an imperial line that is still in place today.
However, archaeological evidence gathered by a number of
researchers place the imperial rule starting later around the
third to seventh centuries AD, during the Kofun period. The
following Asuka regime during the mid 8th century is noted for a
more centralized Japan in which Chinese culture significantly
influenced Japanese traditions.
Nara was the first centralized capital of the nation
established in the late 8th century. The layout of the capital
city was influenced by Chang’an, the capital of China during that
time. The Nara period was the last time that political power was
held by the emperor. The following Heian period was characterized
by an affluent aristocracy with eccentric social customs, and the
moving of the capital from Nara to Kyoto. The capital city of
Kyoto became the residence of Japan’s emperors until the late
19th century. Toward the end of the Heian period, the aristocracy
lost their power and the Kamakura period marked the beginning of
military rule. Regional warlords became powerful and often rose
to become Shogun, a position that sometimes wielded more power
than the Emperor. During this period, a caste system developed
with the Shogun at the top. The Shogun controlled large areas of
land and would divide it up and delegate responsibility to a
Daimyo, or regional warlord. The Daimyo ruled with an army of
Samarai who protected the land and its people. Feudal Japan did
not allow for social mobility and marrying outside one’s own
caste was prohibited.
III. FACTORS
POLITICAL-LEGAL
Government
Japan is organized as a constitutional monarchy with a
parliamentary form of government. Emperor Akihito has been the
chief of state since 1989. However, the Emperor has no powers
related to government. Executive power is exercised by a cabinet,
composed of a prime minister and ministers of state. The cabinet
is responsible to the Diet which is a two-house (i.e., bi-
cameral) parliament. Japan’s bi-cameral Diet consists of the
House of Councillors (the Upper Diet) and the House of
Representatives (the Lower Diet). The Diet is elected by
universal suffrage and designates the Prime Minister from among
its members.
System of Government
There are 2 main levels of government in Japan: National and
Prefectural. Under the Japanese Constitution, national
legislative power is vested in the Diet. The prefectural
assemblies of the 47 administrative prefectures have the power to
govern and enact laws within the prefecture. At the more local
level is a system of city, town and village municipal assemblies.
Sources of Law
Japan is a civil law country, governed by laws passed by
Parliament and interpreted by the courts. At the beginning of the
Meiji era (1868-1912), the German and French legal systems were
the model for the Japanese court and legal system. After the
Second World War, a major reform of the legal system took place
in Japan with many of the revised laws being modeled on American
law. Today, the Japanese legal system remains a hybrid of the
continental European system and the Anglo-American system.
Court System
The Constitution of Japan provides that all judicial power
in Japan is vested in the Supreme Court and in such inferior
courts as are established by law. The Court Organization Law
establishes the following five types of courts in Japan listed in
order of judicial authority, from highest to lowest:
(1) Supreme Courts (4) Family Courts; and
(2) High Courts, (5) Summary Courts.
(3) District Courts;
The respective courts have their own jurisdiction as
provided by law. Each court renders a judgment independently and
a decision of a superior court binds the courts below in respect
of the case concerned. In contrast to common law jurisdictions,
there is no principle of stare decisions.
The Japanese political and legal system presents a complex
picture. On the one hand, Japan is a democratic state, with
strong civic and legal institutions. On the other hand, the
country has characteristics of nondemocratic systems. It is a
democracy yet just one party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),
has run the country almost continuously since the end of World
War II. Japan is highly bureaucratic as well. Decisions affecting
national policy are often made by ministries with substantial
power and influence and ties to business and industrial groups.
As a result, it is often said that Japan lacks the pragmatic
approach to change that is common in Western democracies, and
this is seen as contributing to Japan’s extended economic
malaise.
To most foreigners, Japanese politics may appear somewhat
puzzling. Policy does not seem to change regardless of who is
leading the country, and, in fact, that’s the argument the person
in the street gives when asked about his or her lack of interest
in politics. “Why bother, nothing changes.” Actually, most
legislation isn't produced by the members of the Diet but by
ministers and bureaucrats.
The policy-making process in Japan is more similar to the
parliamentary systems of Europe and contrasts with the American
system, in which presidential appointees attempt to exercise
control over branches of the bureaucracy on behalf of the
president. It's not uncommon in Japan for the influence and power
of a Japanese ministry or agency to outlive the reign of a prime
minister, as evident in the powerful Ministry of International
Trade and Industry, better known as MITI.
Not surprisingly given the culture, the Japanese political
system also has a tradition of group rather than personalized
leadership. Elderly statesmen and party chiefs, not individual
prime ministers, often make political decisions. Cabinet members
are usually appointed to head ministries or agencies for very
brief periods of time and at most establish only general policy
control. Recently, commentators have begun to question this lack
of action.
Japan’s legal system is very different from what most
Westerners are used to. For example, only since 1986 have foreign
legal consultants (Gaigokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi) been allowed to provide
legal services. The requirements were modified in 1994 with the
signing of the Amendments to the Foreign Attorney Law. In certain
types of practices, licensed legal consultants from other
countries can now practice together with Japanese attorneys.
Anyone planning on doing business in Japan should bear in
mind that prefectures and municipalities may create laws and
regulations independently of each other, so long as they do not
contradict national laws. In other words, there are local laws
and regulations in addition to laws that are consistent and
uniform throughout the country. Each of the 47 prefectures may
have a slightly different requirement concerning paperwork.
The Japanese are not very litigious; they generally prefer
arbitration and compromise to instituting lawsuits. Lawyers
encourage settlement out of court for all disputes, and the
amount of money awarded as compensation is a fraction of the
amounts awarded in America.
In recent years, more cases have been brought to court, but
they have tended to be high-profile suits that had the support of
a group. The judge makes the ruling and decides whether and how
much to award as compensation; such cases do not go before a
jury. Japan had a jury system at one time, but it was
discontinued after five years since ordinary citizens were very
reluctant to make important decisions about other people's lives.
To deter people from filing suits, the plaintiff is required to
pay a large filing fee and all legal costs; attorneys may not
take cases on contingency.
One of the most significant differences between Japanese law
and the law in many other countries has to do with the power of
contracts. Japanese contracts are not necessarily meant to be
binding. Rather, founded on trust (shinyô), they're often more
short statements of mutual intent. The assumption is that if a
change occurs in the circumstances of the contract, the terms
will be renegotiated.
If you enter into a Western-style contract, which more
companies are using as they work with overseas businesses, you
will want to hire an English-speaking Japanese lawyer or a lawyer
very familiar with Japanese law to guide you through the process.
If you or your company is drafting the contract, keep the
language as simple as legally possible or provide explanations
for legal jargon. Especially in smaller companies, the person
appointed to translate or interpret the contract may have limited
English-language skills. Legalese will make the document
incomprehensible. As you would do with any cross-cultural
agreement, be sure to define currency exchange rates and legal
processes and language especially clearly.
JAPANESE CULTURE
The Japanese culture is a multi-layered and complex system
that has been developing within itself and forming new layers for
thousands of years. When Westerners think of Japanese culture,
perhaps one of the first images that spring to mind is one of an
ancient Samurai warrior wielding his heavy sword, or perhaps they
picture a young Geisha, pouring tea and serving sushi. While
these elements do play some role in the entire concept of Japan
as a whole, the entire meaning and history of the nation is
larger than that.
Japanese culture is rich and diverse, dating back to
10,000BC when the Jomon people first settled in Japan. It is
widely known for its traditional arts as well as its contemporary
pop culture. Today in Japan it is still possible to see kimono-
clad women shuffling down the street with umbrellas overhead, or
oversized sumo wrestlers battling it out the ring. A
sophisticated cuisine, unique social customs, and refined
performing and visual arts also contribute to a culture which has
become attractive, and sometimes fashionable, to many foreigners.
Including traditional Japanese culture like Geisha, Samurai,
Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese gardens, kimonos and Japanese
Language. Plus modern Japanese culture such as modern Japanese
fashion and music.
JAPANESE CULTURE - OCCUPATIONS
Geisha are famous female traditional
entertainers, who sing, dance, play traditional
Japanese musical instruments and engage their
clients with interesting conversation. Today
there are still some active Geisha in places such
as Kyoto and Kanazawa.
Samurai were a traditional warrior class in pre-
industrial Japan, who were easily recognised as
they were the only men allowed to carry two
swords. Samurai were committed to a single daimyo
(normally a wealthy leader).
JAPANESE CULTURE - FASHION
Japanese fashion isn't just a set of modern
fashion trends and sub cultures. Japanese
fashion includes many traditional forms of
clothing including the kimono and its associated
accessories.
The Kimono is the most famous form of traditional
Japanese clothing for women. The Kimono is
actually a style with many different forms; from
the casual to the wedding style, all which have a
particular meaning and are wore to different
events or occasions.
JAPANESE CULTURE – CEREMONIES
The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a highly developed
art form, with several different schools or
styles of Japanese Tea Ceremony in existence.
The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a very formal event
in which many exacting steps are followed.
Traditional Japanese weddings ceremonies are
normally based on the Japanese Shinto religion
ceremony.Traditional Japanese weddings are major
occasion with the wearing of traditional Japanese
clothing including the bride in the wedding
kimono.
JAPANESE CULTURE – MUSIC
Japanese Music is a major part of Japanese
culture which spans from the traditional Japanese
music and instruments to modern Japanese music
including J-POP and Japanese Rock Music.
The Koto is one of the most refined and
sophisticated of the traditional Japanese musical
instruments. To the western ear the Koto would
sound similar to a harp. What is equally amazing
about the Koto, is seeing it carried by petite
Japanese woman.
JAPANESE CULTURE – FESTIVALS
Bon-Odori Festival is a traditional Japanese
summer festival featuring Japanese drum music,
dancing and special summer food.
Shichi-Go-San Festival is a traditional Japanese
festival where parents celebrate on the fifteenth
of November their children growing up as they
turn three, five and seven years of age.
Japanese New Year is celebrated at same time of
the year as western countries, but is celebrated
in a distinctive style. Japanese New Year is an
important family time of the year and there are
many traditions involved.
Christmas in Japan for most Japanese is a
variation on the more commercial style Christmas
seen in many western countries. However, there
are some Christian Japanese who follow a very old
style of celebration.
JAPANESE CULTURE – ARCHITECTURE
Japanese Castles were the key to structure and
life of many Japanese cities. This extensive
section provides information on over 110 Japanese
Castles, including condition, style, history,
location and pictures.
Japanese Temples are Buddhist temples found
throughout Japan, which date back over one
thousand years. There are several Japanese
Temples which are World Heritage Sites. This
extensive section provides information on almost
two hundred Japanese Templesthroughout Japan
including their style, history, location and
pictures.
JAPANESE ECONOMIC
Currency: yen (¥)
Type of economy: capitalist, Western.
Health of economy: Japan is the world's third largest
economy; however, huge government debt and the cost of repairing
the damage caused by the 2011 earthquake have caused a recession
in the country. Although Japan is slowly recovering, it is also
feeling the effects of weak demand for exports and a sharp
downturn in business investment. Economic recovery will
depend partly on how the economy deals with an ageing population
and the attitudes of younger generations, many of whom do not
share the same work ethic as their parents. The unemployment
rate: 4.5% (Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2011).
The Japanese were one of the earliest nation in Asia to
industrialize. During the Meiji restoration period in the mid
19th century, the Japanese government actively persued Western-
style reforms and development—hiring more than 3,000 Westerners
to teach modern science, mathematics and technology to Japan.
The Meiji government also created conducive business
environment for private business to thrive. Shipyards and
factories were built by the government and sold at extremely low
prices to entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs eventually began
business that quickly expanded into conglomerates known as the
Zaibatsu. The Zaibatsu controlled much of Japan’s economic and
industrial activity. By the start of World War II, the big four
Zaibatsu – Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Yasuda – had control
of over more than 30 percent of Japan’s mining, chemical, metals
industries, 50 percent of the machinery and equipment market, and
60 percent of the commercial stock exchange. The Zaibatsu also
develop interlocking relationships among themselves and Japanese
policy makers, thus allowing them a level of control over
government policies.
Although World War II devastated most of the Japanese
economy, the social foundations laid down during the Meiji Era
contributed to the post-war economic miracle from the 1960s to
the 1980s. New constitutional and economic policies implemented
by the US during the American occupation of 1945-1952, also
contributed to the eventual recovery of the Japanese economy,
Furthermore, although there were attempts to dissolve the
zaibatsu system, the Zaibatsu managed to evolved into the
keiretsu with the six major keiretsu being Mitsubishi, Sumitomo,
Fuyo, Mitsui, Dai-ichi, kangyo and Sanwa Groups.
However the greatest contribution factor of the Japanese
Economic Miracle was the establishment of the ministry of
International Trade Industry (MITI) in 1949. MITI implemented
numerous policies that led to heavy industrial growth in Japan.
Many scholars have described MITI to have had the reatest impact
on the economy of a nation than any other government regulation
of organization in the world. According to prominent political
scientist Chalmers Johnson, author of MITI and the Japanese
Miracle, MITI formalized cooperation between the Japanese
government and private industry The extent of th policy was such
that if MITI wished to “ double steel production, the neo-
zaibatsu (keiretsu) already has the capital, the construction
assets, the makers of production machinery, and most of the other
necessary factors already available in-house”.
During the post-war economic miracle from the 1960s to the
1990s Japan experienced huge economic growth – at an average of
10 percent annually in the 1960s, 5 percent in the 1970s ad 4
percent in the 1980s. Growth in the 190s slowed down largely due
to the asset price bubble in late 1980s and the crash of the
Tokyo stock exchange in 1990-92. This period is termed as the
“Lost Decade” in Japan.
In 2012, Japan posted a GDP growth rate (constant prices,
national currency) of 1.996 percent- one of the fastest growing
economies among the G=7 nations for the year. In 2013, GDP growth
is expected to reach 1.584 percent or higher with a new economic
strategy – labelled abenomics after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe –
set to encourage private investment and end persistent deflation.
But while abenomics is likely to revive and boost the economy in
the near future, it fails to address significant long-term
economic challenges: A huge government debt (the highest debt to
GDP ratio in the world), a shrinking and aging population and
weak consumption are problems that continue to weigh heavily on
the economy. The manufacturing, construction, distribution, real
estate, services and communication are Japan’s major industries
today. Agriculture makes up only about two percent of the GNP.
Most important agricultural product is rice. Resources of raw
materials are very limited and the mining industry rather small.
IV. Marketing Strategies
PRODCUT
Japanese market entry
strategy is to sell their own
product to a private brander and
after it has achieved a market
share, they will introduce their own
brand of the same product. Often it
will be a product that will have
higher quality, more features and a
better design. They produce a higher
quality product than is being produced for the market. Since the
Japanese use more “automated production methods and implement
more quality assurance systems” this is an extremely strong
marketing strategy and tool.
Exports: Japan's main export goods are cars, electronic devices
and computers. Most important trade partners are China and the
USA, followed by South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Thailand and Germany.
PRICE
Price is a key element in the Japanese marketing mix and
in the expansion of their market share strategy. The Japanese use
pricing to penetrate, gain and secure market share. Their concept
of pricing a product is to decide first how much consumers will
be prepared to pay for the product and then direct engineers and
designers to meet that price. When they first enter a market
segment, their price starts low and then remains lower than their
competitors to gain market share.
The selling price is dictated by competition with other
companies in the same industry. The company must then reconcile
costs with selling price. The main weapon of the marketing/sales
department is low price: a strategy of aggressively setting low
prices to win domination of a market and then rapidly improving
production to bring costs in line with prices.
PLACE
They place a tremendous emphasis on “integrating
distribution into the marketing mix”. Their distribution system
is designed with their markets, which have been developed region
by region, having strong distributors located in each market
segment.
Japan most important trade partners are China and the USA,
followed by South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand
and Germany.
PROMOTION
Advertisement trade is one strong competitive weapon the
Japanese use against their competitors within a market segment.
They also use social media advertisement like facebook, blog site
OUR 5 CHOSEN PRODUCT:
Sony DSC – P150
Announced in July 2004, the DSC-P150 is Sony’s latest salvo
in the megapixel wars and the first truly compact 7 megapixel
camera. It’s based closely on the current DSC-P100, wit the only
differences- resolution aside being the brushed metal casing.
With 7 million pixels and a 3x Carl Zeiss lens squeezed into a
body round 1” thick, the P150 is sure o appeal to those who want
to pack a lot of power into their pocket.
PRICE
Sony CSC- P 150 is worth Php 21,000 on it first launch in
the market.
PLACE
It was first introduced in China and the USA, followed by
South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Germany.
And late 2008 Sony DSC- P150 was introduced in Philippine market.
It becomes available in Sony Outlet and to other gadgets store in
shopping mall.
PROMOTION
Sony CSC- P 150 was promoted using magazines, leaflets, and
by social media advertisement. Like facebook, you tube and other
sharing media.
MEIJI MILK CHOCOLATE
The ingredients of this milk chocolate are great: sugar,
cocoa mass, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, soy lecithin,
artificial flavour. The bar measures 6’25” long and 2’75 wide.
There are 15 segments, five across and three down.
PRICE
Meiji Milk Chocolate is worth Php 48. 00-small size
PLACE
Meiji Milk Chocolate was distributed in USA, South Korea,
Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Germany,
Philippines and in other country. In the Philippines it’s
available in all leading supermarket.
PROMOTION
It was promoted through advertisement in television,
magazines and through social media. Using social media it’s very
convenient to their target customer to purchase the product
because they can buy meiji milk chocolate and other meiji product
through online selling using their credit card and any bank
account.
SEAFOOD NOODLES
It is instant ramen noodle snack manufactured by Nissin,
packaged in a foam food container, hard plastic or paper cup.
Other brand names are used in specific countries, such as Cup
Noodle in Japan.
PRICE
Seafood Noodles is worth Php 66.00 in any Japan Home Center
PLACE
Seafood Noodles was distributed in China, South Korea,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and other
Asian country. In the Philippines it’s available in any Japanese
supermarket or store. Like Japan Home Center.
PROMOTION
Seafood Noodles was promoted through television
advertisement. But here in the Philippines it doesn’t have any
promotion. Because some of the buyers of this product is
Japanese or half Japanese that stay here in the Philippines.
KEYBOARD STICKER
Japanese Hiragana stickers are a very economical option for
creating a bilingual Japanese Hiragana keyboard. The language
stickers use an easy peel-and-stick method to install. They will
not ooze adhesive, dry out, or damage the original keyboard key.
The letters are printed on the underside of the Japanese Hiragana
stickers so that the lettering will not wear out. This affords
you with many years of durable use.
PRICE
Keyboard Sticker is worth Php. 66.00 in any Japan Home
Center
PLACE
Keyboard sticker is only available in any Japan Home Center
PROMOTION
Keyboard Sticker is not known in the Philippines because it
doesn’t have any promotion.
SOFT SOAP
This Soft Soap that is liquid or easily soluble, as opposed
to a hard soap which will only dissolve sparingly. A hygiene
product made exclusively from natural oils. In this case
"soft" prefix is a reference to it being "softer on nature" than
regular, synthetic soaps. A term for "flattery" and "blarney",
especially when applied to ingratiating praise intended to
persuade, cajole or wheedle a favour. Cheaper oils
and potash were used in making softer soaps, and so they were
less effective, but the expression connotes persuasive flattery.
PRICE
Soft Soap is worth Php. 88.00 in any Japan Home Center
PLACE
It is distributed in China, USA, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong
Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Germany and in any Japan Home Center
here in the Philippines
PROMOTION
The promotion of Soft Soap is depends on the wholesaler or
retailer of this product. When it comes to the Japan Home Center
the softsoap is buy one take one.
Conclusion and Recommendation:
Japan is a nation that is primarily in the information age.
The Japanese government believes in sharing advanced medical
technology with it's general population to prolong their lives
which intern lengthens their time to help produce for the nation.
In the area of economics Japan's results speak for themselves;
they went a non factor nation to a economic world leader in a
short amount of time. In the area of education Japan continues to
move forward, they take education extremely serious because it is
the foundation for your future success in your career, socially,
and life. Japan is a strong nation of team players who are all on
the same page. Many nations could learn a lot from the Japanese
and the U.S. is definitely one of them. The capital of Japan is
Tokyo, in Japanese this translates to the land of the rising sun,
and it seems fitting that the capital of a rising country bares
such a name.
Japan is fully committed to achieving the goal of
sustainable development and is fully aware of the international
dimension of many environmental issues. It was one of the first
OECD Member countries to create a government structure to deal
with global environmental issues, and it has increased its
financial investments and thereby generated strong public
awareness and support for global issues. New policy measures are
helping to ensure that international agreements are rapidly
ratified and implemented. Over the past few years, significant
progress has been made in implementing conventions signed many
years earlier. Japan also hosts international organizations, such
as the International Tropical Timber Organization, and has
convened numerous international meetings on environmental issues.
In the area of official development assistance (ODA), Japan is
the world’s largest donor country (excluding forgiveness of non-
ODA debt such as export credit and military debts). With the
absolute level of aid as well as the ratio of environmental aid
to total aid both growing, Japan is providing significant new and
additional resources for environmental aid at the global level.
At the regional level, Japan is playing a growing role by
increasing exchanges of scientific information, providing
training and know-how to neighboring countries, improving
transfers of technology and increasing its bilateral funding.
Official aid and direct private investment are increasingly being
examined with full consideration of their environmental effects.
Concerning marine pollution, strong measures have been taken
to reduce oil spills and avoid accidents near Japan and in the
Malacca Strait. In the area of exports of hazardous products and
waste, exporting firms are acting more responsibly, following
"prior informed consent" procedures with growing frequency. No
hazardous waste is being exported for final disposal to
developing countries. To enable Japan to play an even stronger
role in international environmental affairs we recommended that
they should to continue to strengthen international co-operation
at sub regional and regional levels. This may include management
of fisheries, prevention of land-based marine pollution,
prevention of oil spills and compensation for oil spill damage,
monitoring for radioactive pollution of the seas, monitoring of
acid precipitation and addressing the issues of imports of
tropical timber and exports of hazardous products. Continue to
implement at international level the principles adopted in Rio,
particularly concerning preparation of overseas projects,
provision of information to communities overseas concerning
environmental risks from Japanese activities abroad, promotion of
the best available technology in developing countries and support
for sustainably managed forests in tropical countries. And they
should continue to provide financial contributions for
environmental assistance to developing countries or multilateral
funds, ensuring that they are commensurate with the country’s
international economic role and GDP.
Overall, Japan is playing a strong and expanding role in
solving international environmental problems, and this deserves
to be recognized. In recent years it has signed and implemented
international agreements, and significantly stepped up its
contributions to environment-related development assistance and
to multilateral institutions dealing with global environmental
issues. Nonetheless, the international environmental challenges
are such that Japanese initiatives will be essential in the years
immediately ahead. The potential damage from transboundary
pollution and global pollution from outside its borders, the
impact of its activities on the natural resources and ecosystems
of other countries, and its economic capacity and technological