Water Quality Management in Japan: Recent Developments and Challenges for Integration

Abstract

Japanese water quality management is evolving toward the more integrated management of water resources by adapting to the changes in society, such as changes in public perceptions on water and the environment; diversification of water usage; and the state of water quality itself. Mitigation of water pollution and conservation of the watershed environment and ecosystem services have begun to be recognized as important elements of water quality management. In that sense, water quality management in Japan is now transforming from management of water quality to management of the wider water environment. Although there have been signs of integration of the quantity and quality aspects of water management, this paper concludes that opportunities to promote integrated management should be further explored in Japan and that local governments must play a key role in the promotion of integrated water resources management.

Total Maximum Allocated Load of Chemical Oxygen Demand Near Qinhuangdao in Bohai Sea: Model and Field Observations

“…Focusing on water environmental capacity, management of pollutant sources mainly relies on water quality as an indicator [17]. In the past decades, many water management techniques were examined extensively in many countries [18][19][20]. The Total Pollutant Load Control System (TPLCS) was established as part of national regulations and laws in Japan and has been applied to Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay, and Seto Island Sea since the 1970s [21].…”

Historical Accountability for Equitable, Efficient, and Sustainable Allocation of the Right to Emit Wastewater in China

“…Total pollution load regulation controls total wastewater emission and can be used to control environmental quality [ 1 ]. Such policies have been applied in developed countries such as United States of America and Japan [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Developing countries like China are also experimenting with similar regulation.…”

Historical Trends of Academic Research on the Water Environment in Japan: Evidence from the Academic Literature in the Past 50 Years

“…So far, qualitative studies on the environmental history of Japan have been abundant [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Matsuo [14] simply summarized the environmental history of Japan by referring to several statistical data sources.…”

“…It was pointed out that the rapid economic growth since the mid-1950s was accompanied by an increase in both the qualitative and quantitative environmental impact of wastewater, which caused serious pollution issues. Kataoka [15] reviewed the succession of water quality management in Japan, especially from a legislative perspective. Kataoka [15] also argued that the scope of water quality management has historically expanded from pollution control in the early period to water environmental management including the many challenges of the water environment, such as ecosystem conservation and adaptation to climate change impacts.…”

“…Kataoka [15] reviewed the succession of water quality management in Japan, especially from a legislative perspective. Kataoka [15] also argued that the scope of water quality management has historically expanded from pollution control in the early period to water environmental management including the many challenges of the water environment, such as ecosystem conservation and adaptation to climate change impacts. On the other hand, quantitative studies related to the history of environmental issues are still very limited [16][17][18][19][20][21].…”