Japanese | English
Back to Contents- 2
- Learning Study Themes for Environmental Improvement
Major Asian cities including Tokyo are confronted by a range of environmental issues including waste management, air quality management, climate change and nature conservation, etc. Each year, the Bureau of Environment of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) holds a range of study programs and workshops on environmental topics together with member cities of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21). In January of this year, two programs were held; the “Study Course on 3Rs and Waste Management” (with two participants each from Bangkok and Delhi), and the “BMA-TMG Air Quality Management Workshop” (with six participants from Bangkok).
(Study Course on 3Rs and Waste Management)
Both Bangkok and Delhi are developing incineration facilities and working with their citizens to reduce waste so they can appropriately manage increasing waste. Therefore, participants learned about the separation of waste and resources and methods used to obtain the cooperation of local citizens in Shinagawa city in Tokyo, while conducting site visits to recycle facilities, etc.
Furthermore, in that food waste issue was featured on this study course, TMG introduced food-waste recycling methods in Japan and the history of composting measures. We also had an open seminar on the topic of “Think about food disposal and loss in Asia”, in which Bangkok, Delhi and Tokyo delivered presentations on their efforts to solve the problem.
(BMA-TMG Air Quality Management Workshop)
In order to respond to the worsening of air condition, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has considered establishment of more air monitoring stations and conducted sampling surveys of vehicle exhaust gas. In the workshop, the participants from Bangkok visited the Ambient Air Monitoring Station and the Tokyo Metropolitan Research Institute for Environmental Protection. They also had the opportunity to observe the scene of the On-Road Sampling Survey on Light Oil which is conducted by the Bureau of Taxation in cooperation with the Bureau of Environment to regulate the diesel powered cars that do not meet emission control standards.
Additionally, in preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2020, TMG is aiming to actualize the hydrogen-powered society. We introduced the hydrogen-filling station to the participants from Bangkok, and they also experienced a fuel-cell vehicle.
(Joint Program)
As a joint event that combined the two programs, participants visited an incinerator and a final landfill site. Waste incineration is an waste processing means that is hygienic and effective in reducing final landfill volumes. Moreover, at the incineration facilities, exhaust gases are processed properly to ensure that incineration does not lead to air pollution, as well as information disclosure and interaction with residents are valued to gain the understanding of community. In Bangkok and Delhi as well, it is a major issue in construction of incineration facilities to obtain the understanding of citizens. During the site visits, participants asked many questions and exchanged their opinions actively.
It is cold in winter in Tokyo! Although the weather condition were harsh with snow fall during the one-week program period, it seemed that especially warm friendships developed among the participants from the three cities. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year in Tokyo!
