Japanese Updates: Results of FY 2011 Survey of the Implementation of the Agricultural Land Soil Pollution Prevention Act by Ministry of the Environment (25 Dec 2012)

Results of FY 2011 Survey of the Implementation of the Agricultural Land Soil Pollution Prevention Act

December 25, 2012

The MOE compiled the results of the FY 2011 Survey of the Implementation of the Agricultural Land Soil Pollution Prevention Act. The survey results consists of the continuous monitoring reports submitted by the prefectural governors. Under the Act, each governor shall continuously monitor the condition of agricultural land soil pollution caused by specific harmful substances (cadmium, copper and arsenic).

Summary of the survey results:
(1) As a result of the continuous monitoring, 5 areas exceeded the regulatory standards for specific harmful substances (cadmium).
(2) There was no newly designated Countermeasure Area.
(3) There were 2 Countermeasure Areas where the designation was canceled (1 complete cancellation and 1 partial cancellation).
(4) There was no Countermeasure Area where a new Countermeasure Plan was formulated.
(5) At the end of FY 2011, 6,781 ha out of 7,575 ha including Countermeasure Area have completed measures.

The complete survey results can be accessed on the following website (Japanese only): 
http://www.env.go.jp/press/file_view.php?serial=21234&hou_id=16134 

Source: http://www.env.go.jp/en/headline/headline.php?serial=1900