- Study group launched ahead of enforcement of revised Waste Management Act
- Industry seeks balanced, practical environmental compliance
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment convened the first meeting of the Scrapyard Environmental Measures Technical Study Group on 27 July in a hybrid format to discuss environmental standards for metal scrap storage and recycling businesses ahead of the enforcement of the revised Waste Management Act.
Among the committee members was Kensuke Kitani, Chairman of the Japan Steel Recycling Industry Association and President of Shimabun Corporation, representing the ferrous scrap industry. During the meeting, Kitani emphasised that the proposed regulations should strike a balance between environmental protection and the operational viability of compliant recyclers.
He cautioned that imposing overly stringent standards on responsible businesses could undermine Japan’s circular economy ambitions. Highlighting the industry’s significance, he noted that Japan processes around 32 million tonnes (mnt) of ferrous scrap annually, with steel scrap accounting for approximately 25% of domestic steelmakers’ raw material requirements. He urged policymakers to ensure that regulatory measures support legitimate operators who play a vital role in resource circulation.
Kitani also stressed that the new framework should be based on a practical “national minimum” standard, ensuring regulations remain achievable while maintaining environmental safeguards.
Opening the meeting, Ichiro Sumikura, Director of the Environmental Restoration and Resource Circulation Bureau at the Ministry of the Environment, said the revised yard regulations are intended not only to strengthen environmental protection but also to support responsible businesses. He added that the ministry aims to strike an appropriate balance by incorporating feedback from industry stakeholders and local governments.
The study group is chaired by Jun Terazono, Fellow at the National Institute for Environmental Studies. Other committee members include Takashi Fukuda, Executive Director and Head of the International Affairs Department at the National Federation of Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling, and Hideyoshi Fujiwara, President of the Light Metals Doyukai. Representatives from industry bodies, including the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, the Ordinary Steel Electric Furnace Industry Association, the Special Steel Club, and the Japan Foundry Association, also participated online as observers.
Note: This article has been published in accordance with a content exchange agreement between Japan Metal Daily and BigMint.
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