Environmental issues
Over the history of Japan, pollution has only really come in to play in the last one hundred years. As the technology and industrialization over the years has improved, the amount of pollution in the air has increased rapidly. Air pollution is a serious concern for Japan, especially in Urban areas. Toxic substances coming from power plants has led to many events of acid rain over the last century. During the mid 1990's Japan had the fourth highest level of carbon dioxide emissions on earth.
The air quality of Japan is regulated under the air pollution control law of 1968 and it has recorded approximately 91,100 air pollution victims since the establishment of the law in 1968. These victims have been suffering from various illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma and other lung related conditions. The most common areas of Japan that receive well above average air pollution conditions are the Tokyo and Osaka areas.
Water pollution
Water pollution is also another major issue in Japan with many farms and water plants having high acidity levels which are unsafe for consumption. This increase in acidity levels is the result of industrial pollutants. The polluted water now effects rivers, lakes and other waters surrounding Japan. Other sources of pollution include DDT, BMC and mercury as well as household sources such as untreated sewerage issues and home detergents.
Forests
Thankfully, most of Japan's nature forests and mountains are protected under the Nature Conservation law of 1972 which means that many of the large areas have been reforested. In 2001 6.8% of Japan's total land area was protected by this law and this number continues to grow.
The air quality of Japan is regulated under the air pollution control law of 1968 and it has recorded approximately 91,100 air pollution victims since the establishment of the law in 1968. These victims have been suffering from various illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma and other lung related conditions. The most common areas of Japan that receive well above average air pollution conditions are the Tokyo and Osaka areas.
Water pollution
Water pollution is also another major issue in Japan with many farms and water plants having high acidity levels which are unsafe for consumption. This increase in acidity levels is the result of industrial pollutants. The polluted water now effects rivers, lakes and other waters surrounding Japan. Other sources of pollution include DDT, BMC and mercury as well as household sources such as untreated sewerage issues and home detergents.
Forests
Thankfully, most of Japan's nature forests and mountains are protected under the Nature Conservation law of 1972 which means that many of the large areas have been reforested. In 2001 6.8% of Japan's total land area was protected by this law and this number continues to grow.
Whales
The farming of whales has been a major problem in Japan for hundreds of years. Whale farming is a common Japanese practice and is seen as animal cruelty throughout most places in the world. Farming of these whales includes capturing and sometimes killing them to apparently provide meat, research the mammals breeding and reproductive behavior. The whales are often killed outside of Japanese waters and the number of whales that are actually caught and killed is usually lied about to the public.
Whalers agree that all of the meat from the whales is sold in restaurants and cafe's but the truth is that this cruel act of destroying a somewhat endangered species is also used for lamp oils, soaps, fertilizer, fans and many more. These products are being sold to people on the streets without people even knowing where it has come from.
Many organisations have fought against Japan for the act that they are committing. Greenpeace argues that whales are an endangered species and should be protected but the Japanese government states that they know that some species of whale are endangered and they don't hunt in these areas. Japan claimed that the whaling does not effect the stock of the whales that still swim in the oceans and that whaling is essential for research. Oppositions agree that there are non lethal ways for capturing and researching whales so the real reason that these mammals are farmed and captured is to sell meat for a high price in Japanese markets bringing large sums of money to whalers.
Campaigners know that the Japanese public does not support the whaling community and wishes for it to end. Japan has now finally agreed to phase out whaling but how long that will take is still unknown today.
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Japan-ENVIRONMENT.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whaling_in_Japan
The farming of whales has been a major problem in Japan for hundreds of years. Whale farming is a common Japanese practice and is seen as animal cruelty throughout most places in the world. Farming of these whales includes capturing and sometimes killing them to apparently provide meat, research the mammals breeding and reproductive behavior. The whales are often killed outside of Japanese waters and the number of whales that are actually caught and killed is usually lied about to the public.
Whalers agree that all of the meat from the whales is sold in restaurants and cafe's but the truth is that this cruel act of destroying a somewhat endangered species is also used for lamp oils, soaps, fertilizer, fans and many more. These products are being sold to people on the streets without people even knowing where it has come from.
Many organisations have fought against Japan for the act that they are committing. Greenpeace argues that whales are an endangered species and should be protected but the Japanese government states that they know that some species of whale are endangered and they don't hunt in these areas. Japan claimed that the whaling does not effect the stock of the whales that still swim in the oceans and that whaling is essential for research. Oppositions agree that there are non lethal ways for capturing and researching whales so the real reason that these mammals are farmed and captured is to sell meat for a high price in Japanese markets bringing large sums of money to whalers.
Campaigners know that the Japanese public does not support the whaling community and wishes for it to end. Japan has now finally agreed to phase out whaling but how long that will take is still unknown today.
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Japan-ENVIRONMENT.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whaling_in_Japan
social issues
As well as Japan having many environmental problems Japan also has to deal with the increasing amount of social issues that are appearing within the country. These issues are a growing concern in Japan and the country is constantly trying to find a way to combat these issues.
Unemployment
Until the early 1990's unemployment in Japan was virtually unheard of. This all changed during the economic recession of previous years. In the 1990's unemployment began to rise as once solid companies and businesses started to cut back on their work forces or stop all together. Life time job security, which was once taken for granted in Japan now doesn't exist anymore after financial downfall in Japan's economy resulted in many Japanese workers turning to lower end/inferior jobs in an attempt to keep working. This now means that school leavers and college students are struggling to enter the working world since these entry-level jobs are now in short supply.
This recession in work places has resulted in an increase in homelessness and poverty. Tokyo and other major cities now have thousands of homeless people and that number is steadily increasing. The majority of these people are middle aged or older men as they have lost their jobs as the companies that they once worked for have collapsed under economic pressure. Some people that lose their jobs end up like this as they feel to ashamed to face their families and get a knew job in Japan's tradition rich society.
Unemployment
Until the early 1990's unemployment in Japan was virtually unheard of. This all changed during the economic recession of previous years. In the 1990's unemployment began to rise as once solid companies and businesses started to cut back on their work forces or stop all together. Life time job security, which was once taken for granted in Japan now doesn't exist anymore after financial downfall in Japan's economy resulted in many Japanese workers turning to lower end/inferior jobs in an attempt to keep working. This now means that school leavers and college students are struggling to enter the working world since these entry-level jobs are now in short supply.
This recession in work places has resulted in an increase in homelessness and poverty. Tokyo and other major cities now have thousands of homeless people and that number is steadily increasing. The majority of these people are middle aged or older men as they have lost their jobs as the companies that they once worked for have collapsed under economic pressure. Some people that lose their jobs end up like this as they feel to ashamed to face their families and get a knew job in Japan's tradition rich society.
Crime
Crime is another growing problem for Japan. Although Japan is one of the safest countries in the world Japanese people are starting to get concerned about the recent increase in violence and crimes, especially those against property. Some of these crimes are caused by the growing number of foreigners entering the country but the majority attribute the problem to economic recession and the decreasing amount of people wanting to buy goods. A disturbing story tells how prostitution is growing in high schools; young girls are selling themselves so they can get money for the latest fashion items, concerts and clothes. Common crimes also include gambling and drug use by gangs called yakuza.
Discrimination
One of the main problems that has been around for thousands of years is the discrimination of women. While it has improved over the years with new laws laid in place there is still a long way to go before all women are treated equally and fairly throughout the country. The Japanese constitution now forbids the discrimination on basis on gender and the Japanese law states that women will have the same economic and social rights as men. Although this law has been placed there is still fewer women than men that attend four year universities which suggests discrimination involving the universities co-coordinators. In general women do not have as much access to employment and advancement through a career path as men do. All efforts have been made to improve women's chances at becoming successful in a career but the overall thought that women should be stay at home wives that look after the children overrides many of the laws at the moment.
http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/japan/people_and_society/social_issues.htm
Crime is another growing problem for Japan. Although Japan is one of the safest countries in the world Japanese people are starting to get concerned about the recent increase in violence and crimes, especially those against property. Some of these crimes are caused by the growing number of foreigners entering the country but the majority attribute the problem to economic recession and the decreasing amount of people wanting to buy goods. A disturbing story tells how prostitution is growing in high schools; young girls are selling themselves so they can get money for the latest fashion items, concerts and clothes. Common crimes also include gambling and drug use by gangs called yakuza.
Discrimination
One of the main problems that has been around for thousands of years is the discrimination of women. While it has improved over the years with new laws laid in place there is still a long way to go before all women are treated equally and fairly throughout the country. The Japanese constitution now forbids the discrimination on basis on gender and the Japanese law states that women will have the same economic and social rights as men. Although this law has been placed there is still fewer women than men that attend four year universities which suggests discrimination involving the universities co-coordinators. In general women do not have as much access to employment and advancement through a career path as men do. All efforts have been made to improve women's chances at becoming successful in a career but the overall thought that women should be stay at home wives that look after the children overrides many of the laws at the moment.
http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/japan/people_and_society/social_issues.htm