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Copyright(c)2007 Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All editorial content and graphics on this Web site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright owner. |
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Nikkei Ecology |
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May 2007Cover Story Japanese companies display their inherent power in the unfolding gigantic markets Make great leaps forward by taking advantage of the sun and the wind! Gigantic markets opening up Solar cell and wind power will become the leaders in the world’s new power generation facilities market, overtaking thermal power Column: Solar cell and wind power facilities markets in Japan are stagnant Japanese companies leap onto the world stage Solar cells and windmills are becoming main players in the export market New inter-industrial relationships are developing Leading makers are supported by the manufacturing expertise of small and medium-sized businesses Companies endeavor to take advantage of the gigantic market in their core businesses by finding new needs Ripple effect generates new needs in transportation, maintenance and building materials Well-established manufacturers make full-scale entry Leading steel and automobile manufacturers capitalize on their technologies Report Reasons why no trading takes place in the market Faced with a reality that the subsidy system is impeding active emissions trading, the Ministry of the Environment is hoping to withdraw the system Learn about Technologies First Step in Technology [High temperature superconductivity] The technology, which can totally eliminate electric resistance in transmission wires, is near commercialization and is expected to become a market of 200 billion yen by 2020 3R’s [Gravity separation of crushed waste] Paving a way for cost reduction in material separation through simplified post-processing using no liquid Fuel Cell [Fuel cell trains] Research goals include developing trains powered solely by fuel cell, tackling the issue of inadequate output, and securing enough under-floor storage space Natural Energy [Bio hydrofined diesel] Tokyo to conduct trial operation this fiscal year of city buses using BHD, which is now on a par with diesel oil in terms of quality and performance “Honor Students” in Recycling [Roofing tiles] Capitalizing on the ingeniously contrived shape of the crusher’s teeth, the roofing tile maker targets at an annual revenue of 100 million yen in fiscal 2007 Learn about Environmental Laws Easy-to-Understand Environmental Law [Amended Food Waste Recycling Law] The amended law will facilitate food waste collection across different cities, towns and villages and make regular reporting by waste generating companies obligatory How to Read the Environmental Ordinances – Part 4 Ordinances for preventing global warming Restrictions on large companies tighten with obligatory submission of plans Environmental Laws Q & A With corrugated cardboard newly required to be reported under the Amended Container and Packaging Recycling Law, efforts are called for to find out effective measures to achieve reduction This Month’s Environmental Law All environment-related bills are ready for Diet deliberation, including the Amendment to Food Waste Recycling Law Trend and News Industrial Waste The Ministry of the Environment conducts its first survey of all waste treatment companies, revealing their business status Geneva International Motor Show Japanese automakers demonstrate their strength with hybrid cars, while European competitors focus on CO2 reduction technologies Restriction on Chemical Substances Korean RoHS to be enforced in January next year is not expected to pose a serious threat Restriction on Chemical Substances A survey result, showing that REACH is only acknowledged by approximately 50% of the respondent companies, exposes lack of understanding by small and medium-sized companies Environmental Label Biodegradable plastic products are to be given the eco label Preventing Global Warming JTB KANTO launches CO2 emission-free trips Fuel Cell Commercialization prospects of fuel cell bus is still uncertain, with issues of cost and durability yet to be solved Preventing Global Warming In response to expectations that domestic emissions trading will become active this summer, The Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking and others will start marketing emission rights in small quantities Natural Resources The emerging theory that metal resources will have been depleted by 2050 triggers immediate risk of China imposing export ban on metals CSR Frontline Japan needs to keep abreast of the world in looking beyond 2012 by implementing drastic environmental measures A mobile communication firm cultivates new markets in developing countries, simultaneously contributing to the area by enhancing their living standards Climate Change Policies Q & A to understand climate change policies Setting targets by industrial sector is under discussion as a means to get developing countries involved in the world’s efforts to reduce emission of global warming gases This month’s emission rights prices Learn about Environmental Issues Truth and False of Environmental Science [Organic agriculture] Is it really “good” for the environment and health? Junko Edahiro’s Eye-opening Facts on Environmental Terms in English [GNH] Threats Waiting around the Corner Fatal frog disease finally spreads to Japan, a result caused by human error Column Kankan Gakugaku (Active Argument over Environmental Issues) Yoshiko Sakurai, journalist Challenge the Environmental Policies! - Part 4 Top runner method faces a barrier Cuisines of Japan Reconsidering the meaning of food - “food to sustain life” THE ROOTS Japanese environmental technologies [CFC-free refrigerator] Technology pursued for 20 years contributes to regaining position The Reality of NPOs [Global Environmental Forum] Aiming to evolve into a specialized think-tank Report Inside-Out Treatment of waste plastic from household refuse – Part 2 Container and Packaging Recycling Law, which promotes waste sorting, also poses a burden of cost WorldWatch Institute An international surveillance system is urgently needed to control genetic technologies, which has the potential to shake the world From BusinessWeek New relationships between companies and environmental groups Itaru Yasui’s “Eco Michelin” Digital Video Cameras ECO Seminar New Environmental Study [Japanese firms are faced with “Environmental Liability”] Potential future expenditure for decontamination will need to be posted Cure for the Headache of ISO Officers The knack of enhancing effectiveness of ISO without much toil Suggesting Eco-management Strategies to the Top Management – Part 4 Work-life balance and eco-management Key Word Chinese RoHS /Methane hydrate World Trend From EU Doubts of whether voluntary efforts by the automobile industry to prevent global warming will prove effective urge EC to consider adopting stricter restrictions on the industry From UK National reduction targets for each EU country will be increased beyond next year to avoid excess supply of emission permits From USA Will incandescent light bulbs be eliminated from the markets, as countries increasingly encourage usage of compact fluorescent lamps? From Germany Exhibition businesses are tackling the issue of how to construct well-designed booths and realize materials efficiency at the same time From China China launches geological storage scheme of CO2, based on its potential retention capacity of 1454.8 billion tons |
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