Environmental Law is not a single body of law but a complex of multiple laws related with environment. It means that we need deep understanding for variety of the laws and background of them because environmental laws related with each other.
Even if your purpose of the business in Japan is limited to any one of the regulation, I would recommend to undertake the project with understanding of “environmental laws”. Otherwise, please contact us for any assistance.
Environmental laws can be classified according to feature of each law.
Basic Environmental Laws
Basic environmental laws are describing basic policies for environmental protection for each category in Japan.
- Basic Act on the Environment
- Basic Law for Establishing the Recycling-Based Society
- Basic Act on Biodiversity
- Basic Act on the Promotion of Biomass Utilization
Environmental Substantive Laws
Environmental Substantive Laws regulate pollutions and protect the nature.
Environmental laws origins from pollution control measures, so environmental substantive laws are core of series of environmental laws.
- Water Pollution Prevention Act
- Air Pollution Control Act
- Natural Parks Act
- Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Environmental Procedural Laws
Environmental Procedural Laws are mandating the implementation of prescribed procedures to reduce the risk of pollution.
- Environmental Impact Assessment Act
- Act on the Assessment of Releases of Specified Chemical Substances in the Environment and the Promotion of Management Improvement
Environmental Organization Laws
Certain organizations are established to protect environment based on the environmental organization laws.
- Act on Improvement of Pollution Prevention Systems in Specified Factories
- Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Environment
- Act for Establishment of Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission
Environmental Adjustment Laws
There are laws which are describing cost burden for environmental protection management.
- Act on Entrepreneurs’ Bearing of the Cost of Public Pollution Control Works
- Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes
- Act on Special Measures concerning Removal of Environmental Problems Caused by Specified Industrial Wastes
- Act on Promotion of Contracts of the State and Other Entities, Which Show Consideration for Reduction of Emissions of Greenhouse Gases, etc.
Environmental Awareness Laws
Education, learnings, training and development are also important part of environmental protection. Some laws are enacted for environmental protection awareness.
- Act on the Promotion of Environmental Conservation Activities through Environmental Education
- Act on the Promotion of Business Activities with Environmental Consideration by Specified Corporations, etc, by Facilitating Access to Environmental Information, and Other Measures
Environmental Relief Laws
Remedy for environmental damage is also important factor. Based on its historical backgrounds, there are quite a few laws for environmental relief.
- Act on the Settlement of Environmental Pollution Disputes
- Act on Compensation for Pollution-related Health Damage
- Act on Asbestos Health Damage Relief
Environmental Criminal Laws
Some of environmental laws has penalty provisions. In addition to those provisions, below is enacted specially for environmental criminals.
- Act on Punishment of Crime to Cause Pollution Harmful for Human Health