Japan’s rapid industrialization in the 19th century quickly gave rise to a new problem: pollution. In the case of Japan, this came in the form of water pollution. As a result, the country instituted the first of many environmental regulations in a booklet titled,"Water Environmental Management in Japan.”

The story of historical Japan, is much like the narrative of any other developing country, where there seems to be a direct trade-off between economic growth and sustainability. First, Japan dealt with problems associated with water pollution, leading to a deadly disease, caused by chemical plants disposing toxins into the water. The effects of the environmental degradation prompted the Japanese government to respond with laws such as the,”River Law,” which emphasized the conservation of our riversand the formation of the Japan Water Agency, which serves to improve and maintain the quality of water in rivers. 

Today, Japan is a global economic hub, but with that, comes severe issues, again related with pollution, but  instead of rivers, now it’s in the air. Japan rose to prominence primarily due to it’s booming manufacturing sector. However, this sector was also the source of the emitted fumes(air pollutants), coming mainly from factories and to a certain extent the cars that traversed the newly built highways. In response, the Japanese government was quick to introduce the “Air Pollution Control Law” which controls the emissions of soot and pollutants that are emitted from factories. Each emitter has to show evidence of what their factory/facility emits, and needs to fall into the prefecture’s(regional area) “emission standard” in terms of volume and concentration of soot that exits their facilities. 

Aside from governmental regulations,  I want to discuss Japan’s national parks which are a symbolic symbol of Japan’s emphasis on fostering a healthy relationship with the environment, a loose example of “green infrastructure.” Unlike many other national parks, which are expansive and in rural areas, Japan’s national parks are much smaller and are generally situated in the center of cities. These parks are preserved and have indeed become an integral part of Japan’s urban culture. 

The first public park was designated in 1873, called Ueno Park–it’s cherry blossoms are now a symbolic figure of Japan’s placid relationship with the environment in the midst of a large city, attempting to preserve some feeling of nature exhibited in the country’s long standing artistic connection in the form of poetry and art. It is the job of the ministry of the environment to protect and maintain these parks. In addition there have been numerous initiatives to help out these parks such as “Natural Park Cleaning Day” which is held on the first Sunday of each august, where people go out and clean their parks by picking up trash. Emphasizing the importance of keeping these parks clean. 

Japan is by no means alone in the conquest for economic prowess, but the country’s pathway to where it is now can be analyzed and understood for other countries shortly following suit. Taking the positives, and avoiding the negatives. As I write this, I can see Ueno Park, a landmark in Japan where families picnic and enjoy unfettered nature. I am a firm believer in economic growth, as it benefits the greatest number of people in the population, leading to a better quality of life. However, these regulations and environmental infrastructure(in my case parks) are also an essential part of daily life, as well as a good bid to protect our earth in the long run.