Post WWII:

• Concern already existed for pollution and the environment before WWII, however was more prevelant in the 1950s and 1960s. This was a period of economic boom, where more governement control over petrochemical industries was acheived.

 

• Increasing urbanization was one of the main factors in causing river pollution and problems in garbage maintenance.

4 major diseases caused awareness of the industrially created hazards for human health: 

Minamata Disease caused by mercury poisoning from industries (2 occurances)

Yokkaichi Ashtma caused by sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide poisoning

Itai-itai Disease caused by cadmium poisoning

 

 

 

 

Works by Eugene Smith and wife Aileen Mioko Sprauge Smith on Minamata Disease

 

 

Rising Concerns:

• Endangered Mammals in Japan

Ryukyu Sika

Ryukyu Rabbit

Iriomote Cat

Extinct: Ryukyu pigeon, Bonin thrush, Japanese sea lion, and Okinawa flying fox

 

• Light Pollution

 

 

 

 

• Caused from poorly designed lighting, where light is shone into the sky instead of towards the needed area (towards earth)
• Causes changes in migration, feeding, and reproduction patterns for organisms. 

 

 

 

 

Energy Sources:

 

• Japan has no sources of natural gas or oil. As a result they must import these resources from other countries. 

• Ranks third in the world for consumption of nuclear energy, with the US and France leading.  

• Japan ranks fourth in the world for CO2 emmisions, where the US is ranked at number 1.
• http://www.breathingearth.net/

 

 

• Known for advances in energy efficient technolgy:
  • Cars

Honda Insight: One of the cheapest hybrids on US market ($20,000)

 

Toyota Prius

 

Bio Battery: Uses sugar to generate energy

 

                              

Organic LED Screen: 40% more efficient compared to regular LED screens

 

 

 

Furoshiki: Art of cloth wrapping used by the Japanese to wrap up everyday goods. Ancient practice that is looked at today as being environmentally conscience, by reducing waste and impact on the environment. Plastic bags are replaced by reusable pieces of cloth to carry every day items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Japan-ENVIRONMENT.html

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_fauna_sci-Mammal&enlarge=0000+0000+0804+0602

http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?ID=3&sp=388

http://jafferym.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/us-oil-import-statistics/

http://www.nationmaster.com/red/graph/env_co2_emi-environment-co2-emissions

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/business/21hybrid.html?ref=automobiles

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/light-pollution/klinkenborg-text

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beggs/35001502/

http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/060403.html