IT and Environmental Problems in an Age of Globalization

东亚已经有了一个庞大的产品和物质循环，因此不可能为日本单独创造一个循环型社会。因此，我想在考虑到到目前为止提到的建议的同时，讨论在东亚建立一个周期性社会体系的每个参与者所面临的挑战。首先，必须收集出口的二手消费电器/电子产品和汽车的统计数据。这是无法从目前财政部的海关统计数据中确定的。我们还必须查明进口国是如何回收资源的。考虑到对这些信息的需要，政府必须开始收集统计数据。第二，广域回收的信息交流和讨论应该在政府层面上进行。在与《巴塞尔公约》有关的问题上尤其需要加快速度。欧盟实行广域废物管理的理由是，在欧盟内部，这并不构成公约规定的跨界转移。第三，就制造商而言，政府应考虑将环保责任应用于二手产品和在海外生产的产品。如果不这样做，出口商就无法逃避逃避国内环境法规的批评。第四，回收商应该开展回收业务——不仅在日本，在其他亚洲国家也是如此——利用他们的技术和专业知识发挥优势。当然，环境友好和透明度将是至关重要的，它们应该从试点项目开始。

East Asia already has a large product and material cycle, making it impossible to create a cyclical society conceived for Japan alone. Therefore I would like to discuss the challenges for each actor in building a cyclical society system in East Asia, while taking into consideration the proposals^<23> mentioned thus far.First, it is essential to assemble statistical data on the used consumer appliances/electronics and automobiles that are exported. This is impossible to determine from current Ministry of Finance customs statistics. We must also find out how resources are being recycled in importing countries. In view of the need for this information, the government must start by assembling statistics.Second, information exchange and discussions on wide-area recycling should be carried out on the government level. Haste is needed especially on issues related to the Basel Convention. The EU practices wide-area waste management on the grounds that within the EU this does not constitute transboundary movement under the convention.Third, in relation to manufacturers, the government should consider the application of EPR to used products and those produced overseas. Unless this is done, exporters cannot escape criticism that they are trying to avoid domestic environmental regulations.And fourth, recyclers should run recycling businesses - not only in Japan, but in other Asian countries as well - that use their technology and expertise to advantage. Of course environmental friendliness and transparency will be crucial, and they should start with pilot projects.