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Nikkei Ecology

September 2005 Issue

Cover Story 1

Environmental department that can successfully lead management reform


An emergency survey reveals the role wanted for environmental departments: “Leader” to make environmental management take root in corporate operation

Suntory’s “Molt’s Beer” and NEC’s “IT de Eco”: Using the corporate environmental activities in brand strategy for products and corporations

Reduction of the environmental burden is the main task of environmental departments; tactical steering to weave cooperation among the different departments and mobility of the departments are the keys to achieve zero-emission of waste, energy saving, and other targets

Communication with stakeholders: Effective use of the new route of information should strengthen the corporation

Four messages from the frontline: Environmental departments can “evolve” rapidly

Cover Story 2

The new indexes of environmental management: They are no longer mere numerical games

Technology

First Step in Technology
[Fuel-efficient engines] Hybrid cars with fuel efficiency of 30 km/liter or higher are on the center of attention, while efforts to improve cylinder cut-off systems and direct fuel-injection engines continue

Products
[Light-weight PET bottles] Weight is reduced by 30% from the conventional bottles by thoroughly using designing and forming technologies

New Energy
[Micro hydroelectric power generation system] “Hydro-agri” can generate power using the small falls in agricultural ditches

Environmental Cleansing
[DNA chips for the “environmental hormones”] Analyzing influence of endocrine disruptors at the genetic level

“Honor Students” in Recycling
[Shredded dust] Enforcement of the Automobile Recycling Law requires higher recycling capacity

Learn about environmental laws

Easy-to-Understand Environmental Law
[Revised Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Conservation Law) Part 1] The more stringent regulations as a prevention measure for global warming are now applied to a larger range of industries, including the transportation companies and shippers of their cargos

Environmental Laws Q&A
What is the “J-Moss” in the chemical substance content labeling system for electrical and electronic appliances?

This Month’s Environmental Law
Relevant ministries and agencies take emergency measures against the danger of asbestos on human health

Kenichi Mizuno’s Report from the Diet
Global warming measures for automobiles need urgent actions including promotion of plant-derived fuels

Trend and News

Asbestos
Kubota’s decision to make immediate announcement is a successful case as a risk management strategy

Asbestos
The asbestos regulations implemented by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in July include punishment against noncompliant employers

Global warming
With approximately 100 companies joined its emission right trading, CCX shows interest in building partnership with the Ministry of the Environment of Japan

Soil pollution
Surveys for harmful gasses are urgently needed as the arsenic incident in Kamisu-machi, Ibaraki, shows new development

Recycling
A rocky road awaits the recycling of lead batteries used in automobiles and other machineries

Environmental education
Publishing an environmental report of an outdoor music event

Forest conservation
Japanese corporations take actions to prevent illegal harvesting; ASKUL Corporation starts tracing production processes of their office paper

Environmental policy
Midterm report for the Third Basic Environmental Plan takes another step in the “precautionary principle”

CSR Frontline

The “leader of CSR” faces a difficult problem rooted on the distrust of the people for more than 10 years

Chinese companies cannot avoid social responsibility if they are to join the world market


Kyoto Mechanism
Q and A to understand the Kyoto Mechanism
Demand for the forest CDM is limited in spite of its positive image due to the emission rights that are effective only for a limited time


ECO Interview
Hiroshi Nakada, mayor of Yokohama City: “Act first, then the citizens will follow suit and change their attitudes”


ECO Column

Kankan Gakugaku (Active Argument over Environmental Issues)
Takeshi Yoro, professor emeritus of Tokyo University

Takuro Morinaga’s ECO Lifestyle
“Cool Biz” slowly permeates among Japanese workers as a new dress code for the summer

Fieldwork Japan
New technologies give hope to large cities facing water shortage

Report

Achieve the Top Sales with Eco Products!
The Seiyu Co., Ltd. / “Kankyo Yusen” (private brand of the products specifically selected for their environment-friendliness)

Inside-Out
[Dismantling of incinerators – part 2] Incinerators for industrial waste are shut down and left neglected

WorldWatch Institute
Diesel cars and hybrids: which is more environment-friendly?

ECO Seminar

How to Make the Best Use of ISO
[NHK Spring Co., Ltd.] “Environmental Gymnasium” is built in the factory premise to carry out practical awareness-raising trainings for employees

New Environmental Study
[Abandoned automobiles in the South Sea Islands] Japan-made used cars are abandoned without repair

Quick Guide to Environmental Key Words
Roof-top greening

Practical Examples of Environmental Communication
Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

World Trend

From EU
Environmental, health and social impacts are comprehensively assessed by using multiple assessment methods

From UK
Emission right price exceeds 20 Euro due to supply shortage and fuel price hike

From USA
Can the on-line barter trade be a base hit to help reduce waste?

From Germany
New software is developed to assess sustainability of biotechnology from environmental, economic and social aspects

From China
National government upgrades development of nuclear power plants from “moderate” to “active” as the energy crisis continues

Nikkei BP EcoManagement Forum

[ECO graph]

[Eco Magazine Forum] Environmental and social education by corporations that can yield financial profit