Abstract
In Japan, local governments have a critical role to play in handling environmental pollution and industrial disasters. The Tokyo Metropolis and Osaka Prefecture have led with independent undertakings in asbestos countermeasures, and since the Kubota Shock, most local governments have pressed forward with emergency countermeasures against asbestos. However, it is evident that these actions at local government level have limits. Not enough has been done to identify the extent of harm caused by asbestos to human health. Frameworks for registration and the implementation of periodic health examinations have not been set up for citizens at risk of environmental exposure. Current measures to deal with asbestos in buildings are also marked by an array of deficiencies, including a lack of insight into the actual extent of asbestos use, inadequate frameworks for measurement and management, and weak measures for asbestos removal projects. These challenges demand that local governments take ownership of the problems at hand and pursue independent solutions. In addition, it is imperative that the national government also takes action, lays the legal groundwork, and sets the stage for further progress.
Translated and revised from the Japanese original, Hiraoka K. (2008). Local Government Measures against Asbestos: Tokyo Metropolitan and Osaka Prefectural Governments as Case Studies. Policy Science (in Japanese), Supplementary Volume, 127–143, with permission of the Policy Science Association of Ritsumeikan University.
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Notes
- 1.
Although not evident at the time of the survey, these are believed to have been put into effect at 2006.
- 2.
- 3.
In December 2007, Ota City announced that eight citizens living in the vicinity of a decommissioned asbestos product factory had become victims of asbestos-induced illnesses. Prior failure to disclose these cases of harm from asbestos highlights the need for efforts by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to identify more victims and implement field surveys.
- 4.
Information on Nerima City asbestos countermeasures obtained from Nitta, K. (2006) and materials from the Nerima City Environmental Protection Dept. (October 29, 2007).
- 5.
Information on Nerima City asbestos countermeasures obtained from Nitta, K. (2006) and materials from the Nerima City Environmental Protection Dept. (October 29, 2007).
- 6.
In 1968, the former Ministry of Labor designated sprayed asbestos operations as worksites requiring the regular use of localized ventilation systems to curb dust emissions in accordance with provisions of the Pneumoconiosis Act. Again, in 1971 it made prefectural labor standards bureaus provide administrative guidance aimed at encouraging asbestos workplaces to install localized exhaust ventilation systems. An Ordinance for Prevention of Adverse Health Effects from Specified Chemical Substances has also been put into effect.
- 7.
- 8.
Based on press materials released by the Osaka Prefectural Government.
- 9.
Information on Osaka Prefecture asbestos health hazard countermeasures based on interviews with the Osaka Prefecture Office for Community Health and Welfare (December 7, 2007), as well as submitted materials.
- 10.
Osaka District Office for Health and Welfare documentation.
- 11.
Osaka District Office for Health and Welfare documentation.
- 12.
For details on FY 2006 health risk assessments, see Osaka Prefecture’s Report of the Findings of Asbestos-Related Health Risk Assessments in Osaka Prefecture, May 2005.
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Hiraoka, K. (2011). Local Government Measures Against Asbestos: Tokyo Metropolitan and Osaka Prefectural Governments as Case Studies. In: Miyamoto, K., Morinaga, K., Mori, H. (eds) Asbestos Disaster. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-53915-5_12
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