IT and Environmental Problems in an Age of Globalization

东亚已经有了一个巨大的产品和物质循环，因此不可能创造一个仅为日本设想的周期性社会。因此，我想在考虑到到目前为止提到的建议的同时，讨论每个行为者在东亚建立循环社会体系方面面临的挑战。首先，收集出口的二手家电/电子产品和汽车的统计数据是至关重要的。这不可能从目前财政部的海关统计数据中确定。我们还必须找出资源在进口国是如何循环利用的。鉴于这些信息的需求，政府必须从收集统计数据入手。第二，在政府层面上开展广域回收的信息交流和讨论。尤其是在与《巴塞尔公约》相关的问题上，需要仓促行事。欧盟实行广域废物管理的理由是，根据公约，这在欧盟内部并不构成越境转移。第三，关于制造商，政府应考虑将EPR应用于二手产品和在海外生产的产品。如果做不到这一点，出口商就无法逃脱批评，他们试图逃避国内的环境监管。第四，回收商应该经营回收业务--不仅是在日本，而且在其他亚洲国家也是如此--利用他们的技术和专业知识。当然，环境友好性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.