English Information of Teshima

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English Information of Teshima

Teshima, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a small island located in the Inland Sea of Japan (Setonaikai), holding the population of 1600 in the area of 14.6 km2 and the circumference of 19.8 km. It has been a quiet and beautiful island, but started to be imaged as an "island of wastes" because of the 500 thousand-tons of industrial wastes thrown there illegally. Now it symbolizes the problem of industrial wastes in Japan.

1 History of the Teshima Case

Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu, an industrial waste disposer, started to dispose industrial wastes illegally in the west side of the island, since the late 1970s. Hyogo Prefectural Police Station exposed this illegal act, and arrested 6 persons of the company, including its president, in charge of having violated the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law in 1991.

This illegal disposition has continued for 13 years until it was exposed by the police. 21 industrial dischargers in Kansai Area contracted with Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu that the latter dispose the wastes, mostly consisting of shredded dusts (automobile parts), in place of the former.

Only a small part of the wastes were removed, but more than 50 thousand tons of the wastes are still left there in the field of 100 thousand square meters. At present the disposed industrial wastes are largely covered with the soil, underneath of which darkish wastes pile up at a height of more than 10 meters, and holding inky water with unearthy bubbles. According to a research conducted by the government in 1994, poisonous substances such as dioxin, lead, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), mercury, trichloroethylene, organochlorine compound, benzene, arsenic, were detected from the soil, underground water, and animals and plants living in the surrounding sea.

2 Distress of the Teshima Residents

Teshima residents started a movement against Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu in December 1975, when the company applied to Kagawa Prefecture for the license of disposing harmful industrial wastes there. They requested the company for the removal of the wastes to out of the island and blamed the prefecture on having permitted it to bring the wastes in the island. They applied, with regard to the Law concerning the Settlement of Environmental Disputes, for an arbitration with the prefecture as well as the disposer and the dischargers on November 11, 1993. Government's Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission indicated 7 proposals for the treatment, but the residents and the prefecture conflicted over whether or not the latter had any responsibility for this tragedy. The Prefecture first expressed its "regret" only at the 14th round of arbitration on January 31, 1997. Thus the both sides agreed to implement an intermediate processing by melting the wastes within the island, which was then considered as a step forward to the solution.
On the other hand, the residents brought a lawsuit against Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu, demanding for the removal of the wastes and the compensation for the damage. On December 26, 1996, Takamatsu District Court gave the perfect victory to the side of the Teshima residents,
severely criticizing, "the disposer's claim is just an excuse for the evasion of the law." Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu, however, having been not capable to remove the waste, the attitudes of the government and the prefecture are to be watched.

3 Nationwide Situation

Dusts and wastes have been great social problems in Japan since 1970s, when pollution became a great social concern as indicating a negative aspect of a rapidly growing economy. On May 20, 1971, Hiroshima District Court prohibited a facility to process raw sewage and trash from being constructed at Yoshida-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture, in favor of the demand
from the side of its residents. The residents in Matsubara-shi, Osaka, also protested against construction of refuse incinerators there, and this kind of movements were followed by those living in other areas of Japan.
Numazu-shi in Shizuoka Prefecture, and Zentsuji-shi in Kagawa Prefecture, for example, took a drastic action in starting separate collection and recycling of wastes, and other local governments also tried to lessen the amounts of domestic garbage, or "non-industrial wastes." It was, however, delayed to deal with industrial wastes, resulting in illegal dumping of the
wastes to be great social problems all over the country. Teshima is one of its extreme examples.

4 Teshima as the Symbol of the Industrial Waste Problem

As the Environmental Basic Law was implemented 1993 and the Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging in 1995, the problems of non-industrial wastes have reached a new stage of solution, while those of industrial ones are still left untouched. Whether or not to amend the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law, is now such a heated discussion, as the law is said to have many problems.
In case of Teshima, although the arbitration may be the first step for its solution, the problem there is still far from being solved completely.
Irresponsibility of waste dischargers, that of disposers, and incapability of public administrations constitute the roots of the waste problems occurring in the island and other places in Japan. The present unjust waste administration is allowing urban areas to impose their wastes on rural depopulated areas in Japan, which is clearly represented by the case
of Teshima.

The Chronological Table:
A Case of the Industrial Wastes Illegally

Disposed in Teshima.

Dec.18, 1975 Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu applied to Kagawa Prefecture for the license of disposing harmful industrial wastes.

Feb. 23, 1976 Teshima residents collected 1425 signatures against construction of an industrial waste processing plant.

Feb.25, 1976 Teshima residents petitioned Kagawa Prefecture for not allowing Teshima Sogo Kaihatsu's plan.
Sepetember Kokyomaru incident happened. Kokyomaru, a freighter loaded with industrial wastes, was, having floated around the country, not allowed to enter any port and finally anchored off Teshima. Teshima Sogo Kaihatsu intended to land the industrial waste from Kokyomaru without any permission, but was not allowed to do so.

Jan. 12 1977 Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu modified the content of its application from harmful industrial wastes to harmless ones.

Feb.23.　　 The governor of Kagawa Prefecture declared his intention to give the license.

Feb.27. Teshima residents organized Haikibutsu Mochikomi Zettaihanntai Teshima Jumin Kaigi (literally means, "The Congress of Teshima Residents Resolute to oppose to Bringing the Industrial Wastes into the Island").

Mar.1. Teshima residents requested Kagawa Prefectural Assembly to suspend construction of the industrial waste processing plant with 1425 signatures.

Mar.4. 515 residents went to Kagawa Prefectural Office to protest against the plant construction.

Mar.23. Kagawa Prefectural Assembly adopted Teshima residents' request for suspending construction of the industrial waste processing plant.

June.28. 259 Teshima residents have pegged stakes to restrict the road traffic and brought suit against the plant construction.

Aug.2. Syosuke Matsuura, the former president of Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu was arrested on suspicion of having outraged and injured the residents who were against the plant construction.

Sep.16. Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu changed the content of application to be earthworm cultivation in the form of using harmless wastes.

Feb.1.1978 Kagawa Prefecture gave a license of earthworm cultivation to Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu.

Oct.19. Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu and 584 residents (or 584 households) reached reconciliation.

Feb.27.1981 Kagawa Prefecture, Tonosho-cho, and Teshima residents inspected the place where the industrial wastes were disposed.

Apr.16. Teshima residents inspected the place of disposition. 1983 Complaints
against burning field of disposition increased greatly.

Apr. 1984 Teshima Jumin Kaigi submitted an open letter of inquiry to Kagawa Prefecture.
July. Kagawa Prefecture answered the above letter.
Oct. Teshima residents consulted with the Administrative Inspection Bureau.

Oct. 1985 They consulted with the above letter.

June.9. 1986 Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu offered Teshima residents that the company would change the content of its business.
Nov.2. A local referendum was carried out with regard to the above change (96% of the total votes opposed).

1987 Teshima residents started complaining of their own health frequently.

May.25 1988 Himeji Maritime Safety Station of the Maritime Safety Agency arrested Matsuura, the former president of Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu, on suspicion of having violated the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law.
Nov.16. Matsuura was ordered to pay a fine.

Aug.23 1990 Teshima residents showed officials of Kagawa Prefecture the industrial wastes "illegally disposed" at the place of Matsuura's business.
Nov.16. Hyogo Prefectural Police Station exposed the illegality of Matsuura's business in charge of having violated the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law.
22. Three self-government bodies of Teshima offered that Matsuura's operation should be stopped.
28. Teshima residents organized Haikibutsu Taisaku Teshima Jumin Kaigi (literally means, "The Congress of Teshima Residents against the Industrial Wastes).
Dec.3. Teshima Jumin Kaigi requested Kagawa Prefecture to improve the situation.
13. Teshima residents offered Kagawa Prefecture to implement reinspection.
17. Teshima residents submitted a letter requesting reinspection and that of inquiry to Kagawa Prefecture.
24. Teshima residents collected signatures against bringing industrial wastes into Teshima (92.3% of Teshima residents).
28. Kagawa Prefecture gave the first order to Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu to remove the industrial wastes and prevent poisonous wastes from flowing and spreading out.

Jan.23.1991 Hyogo Prefecture arrested Matsuura in charge of having
violated the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law.
May 22. Teshima residents requested Kagawa Prefectural Assembly to
remove the industrial wastes as soon as possible.
July 18. The court convicted Matsuura of having violated the Waste
Disposal and Public Cleansing Law.
Aug.10.1992 Teshima residents requested the Governor of Kagawa
Prefecture to remove the industrial wastes.
Nov. 2. Teshima residents presented Kagawa Prefecture and
Tonosho-cho their opposition to a plan to redevelop the place with the
industrial wastes remained.
Apr. 8.1993 Teshima Jumin Kaigi obtained trial records of the Teshima
case from the Himeji Branch of the Kobe District Court.
June 20 Teshima Jumin Kaigi hold an interview with the Governor of
Kagawa Prefecture.
July 3. Teshima Jumin Kaigi carried out questionnaire survey
for all members of the Kagawa Prefectural Assembly.
Nov.4. Before requesting arbitration, Teshima residents
requested for tentative seizure of the site of the illegal waste
disposition and provisional prohibition of the land ownership transfer.
11. Teshima residents have requested for an arbitration
based on the Law concerning the Settlement of Environmental Pollution
Disputes.
22. Kagawa Prefecture gave the second order Teshima Sogo Kanko
Kaihatsu to establish walls preventing the water and drains for the sake
of life and environmental safety.
Dec.9. A convention demanding removal of the industrial wastes
was held among the residents.
20. Teshima residents started a sit-down strike in front of the
Kagawa Prefectural Office.
Jan. 4, 1994 Teshima residents started visiting local societies out of
the island as a series of campaigns by means of distributing a pamphlet
entitled, "Furusato wo Mamoru (Preserving Home)," to each household,
sending protest cards to the Governor, and etc.
Feb. 4 Teshima residents started visiting every Member of the
Prefectural Assembly to ask for his or her assistance.
Mar. 10 The Takamatsu District Court provisionally prohibited Teshima
Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu and its former President Matsuura from hindering
(Teshima residents') entering the site of disposition for the purpose of
investigation.
Mar. 23 The 1st Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
May 2 Message Walk (until May 9). Walked 300 kilometers throughout
every level of municipality within Kagawa Prefecture and called for its
understanding and assistance.
May 19 The 2nd Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
May 31 Sit-in tentatively stopped in front of the Kagawa
Prefectural Office (572 persons attended in 106 days).
May 31 Kagawa Prefecture accused Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu for
the violation of the court order.
Jun. 1 "Kokoro no Shima (Island of Heart)", a photo album of
Teshima, was published.
Jul. 1 The 3rd Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Jul. 29 The 4th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Sep. 1 The papers pertaining to the criminal case of Teshima
Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu was sent to Public Prosecutors Office, in charge of its
having violated the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law (or having
violated the court order).
Dec. 13 The Cabinet decided to budget 236 million yen for the
Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission to investigate the actual
situation of environmental pollution, remove the industrial wastes, and
preserve the environment.
Dec. 20 The Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission started
investigation.
Mar. 12, 1995 The Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission released
its intermediate report that twelve kinds of poisonous materials such as
dioxin and PCB were detected to be containing at the level exceeding
Japan's legal standards.
Mar. 21 Governor Hirai indicated his feeling of, "No need to take
emergency measures," with regard to the detection of dioxin.
May 2 Arsenic and lead were again detected in the surrounding seashore
in the regular environmental investigation conducted by Kagawa Prefecture.
May 12 The Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission reported
that dioxin was also detected in the surrounding sea.
Jun. 16 Haikibutsu Taisaku Teshima Jumin Kaigi petitioned the Chairman
of the Prefectural Assembly to request the Governor for removing the waste
by means of administrative substitute execution of the prefectural
government.
Jun. 27 The Environment Agency investigated dioxin in the area
surrounding the site where the industrial wastes were disposed.
Jul. 18 The Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission indicated
Teshima residents seven ways of processing the industrial wastes, including
ones of shutting out them by walls.
Jul. 20 The Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission explained
the seven possible ways of processing wastes to the Prefecture.
Sep. 6 Teshima resident requested the Environmental Disputes
Coordination Commission to delete the proposals of walling the surrounding
the site of disposition from its final report, with which they felt that
"the security is not guaranteed."
Oct. 30 The 5th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Indicated seven proposals such as 1) Intermediate processing of the wastes
first at the site, and then final processing at a landfill site of
controlled type out of the island; 2) Intermediate processing out of the
island, and final processing at a landfill site of controlled type also out
of the island; 3) Final processing at a landfill site of isolated type (by
closing up the wastes with concrete walls) out of the island, without any
intermediate processing; 4)Intermediate processing at the site and final
processing at a landfill site of controlled type established at the site;
5) Intermediate processing out of the island, and final processing at a
landfill site of controlled type established at the site; 6)Final
processing at a landfill site of isolated type established at the site,
without any intermediate processing, and 7) Walling the surrounding and the
surface of the wastes and pumping up the underground water containing
poisonous materials.
Nov. 6 Kagawa Prefecture disclosed the result of investigating arsenic
content of natural oysters living in the sea around Teshima. Teshima
residents decided to request the Environmental Disputes Coordination
Commission to reinvestigate it, alleging that the result already presented
by the Commission was exceeding that of the Prefecture.
No. 28 The 6th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution. The
Prefecture stated that "We would also like the Environmental Disputes
Coordination Commission to listen to the voice of the industrial waste
disposer.
Dec. 8 The Prefecture indicated its decision, at the Education and
Welfare Commission of the Prefectural Assembly, to request the
Environmental Disputes Coordination Commission to reinvestigate data of
arsenic contained in oysters at the following Round of Arbitration of
Environmental Pollution.
Dec. 10 Haikibutsu Taisaku Teshima Jumin Kaigi hold a symposium, at the
gymnasium of Teshima Elementary School, on the subject of "Can We Stand the
Poisonous Industrial Wastes Left in Teshima?" Approximately 550 persons,
including Teshima residents, attended.
Dec. 21 The 7th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Teshima residents refused, among seven proposals, the ones requiring
intermediate processing within the island. They alleged that the national
government should also bear the costs of processing, while the prefectural
government indicated its basic principle that "There is no legal
responsibility for the prefectural government to become the main body for
withdrawing the industrial wastes.
Dec. 21 The Assembly of Tonosho-cho submitted an opinion demanding
for withdrawal of the industrial wastes to the prefectural government.
Jan. 17, 1996 The Assembly of Tonosho-cho submitted an opinion regarding
the removal of industrial wastes to the national government.
Feb. 15 The Environment Agency completed the result of investigation
of the dioxin in the area surrounding the site where the industrial wastes
were disposed. Detected the same level of dioxin as that the Environmental
Disputes Coordination Commission detected, demanding Kagawa Prefectural to
keep a close watch and provide some countermeasures.
Feb. 19 Governor Hirai mentioned that the prefectural government
would regularly research dioxin around Teshima on its own terms.
Feb. 22 The 8th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Feb. 26 Teshima residents brought a civil suit against Teshima Sogo
Kanko Kaihatsu for compensation.
Apr. 4 The 9th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Decided that the Environmental Disputes
Coordination Commission listen to industrial dischargers.
Jun. 9-10 8 members of the Committee on Pollution Measures and
Environmental Protection, Japan Federation of Bar Associations, visited and
investigated the site of waste disposition.
Jun. 13 Responding to the Environment Agency's suggestion, Kagawa
Prefecture investigated dioxin contained in the surrounding water and the
living things like oysters there. No notice was given in advance, having
the residents suspicious of the Prefecture.
Jun. 20 Teshima Jumin Kaigi asked the chairperson of the Prefectural
Assembly to appeal to the national government.
Jun. 21 Takashi Yamamoto (New Frontier Party, the 4th constituency in
Osaka), a member of the Committee on Health and Welfare of the House of
Representatives, visited the site of disposition.
Jun. 25 Governor Hirai answered, "Industrial waste dischargers should be
involved in the solution of the Teshima case," in a session of delegate
questions at the Prefectural Assembly.
Jul. 3 Greenpeace, an international organization for environmental
protection, protested off the shore of Teshima and visited the site of
disposition.
Jul. 4 Members of Greenpeace protested in Takamatsu.
Jul. 24 Wakako Hironaka, a member of the House of Councilors and a
member in charge of environmental policies in "The Tomorrow's Cabinet", and
others visited the site of disposition.
Jul. 31 The 10th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Aug. 4 Minister of Welfare Naoto Kan visited the site of
disposition. He said, "This is worse than I expected," expressing his
willingness to exchange ideas with Kagawa Prefecture.
Aug. 5 Teshima residents decided to request Teshima Sogo Kanko
Kaihatsu for the removal of the industrial wastes in addition to their
request for the compensation through the lawsuit against it.
Aug. 29 Masao Nii, the Director of the Office of Industrial Waste
Management, the Ministry of Welfare, held the first consultation with the
side of prefecture at its office.
Aug. 30 Nii and two others visited the site. No particular scheme was
made.
Sep. 20 The 11th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Teshima Sogo Kanko Kaihatsu indicated its willingness to waiver its
ownership of the land for the sake of solution of the problem.
Sep. 20 Teshima residents demonstrated the industrial wastes and
polluted water in the island at Sukiyabashi Park, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, with an
appeal to passengers, "Urban wastes are tormenting the depopulated island."
Sep. 24 Haikibutsu Taisaku Teshima Jumin Kaigi demanded the chairman
of the Prefectural Assembly for the removal of the "industrial wastes and
an apology of the governor."
Sep. 26 Governor Hirai disclosed his willingness, in a session of
delegate questions at the Prefectural Assembly, to select the 7th proposal,
the cheapest one, among 7 proposals as the ways of processing the
industrial wastes indicated by the Environmental Dispute Coordination
Commission. This way is to shut out water from the wastes by walls.
Oct. 4 Governor Hirai expressed his "regret that, as a result, a
great amount of shredded dusts were brought into the island," in the
session of general question at the Prefectural Assembly.
Oct. 9 The Committee for General Affairs of the Prefectural Assembly
terminated its examination on the 7th proposal.
Oct. 12 Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto stated, " Financial Support
from the National Government is necessary to solve the Teshima Case," in
Takamatsu that he barnstormed.
Oct. 23 The 12th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution. The
Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission urged the Prefecture to
reconsider the 7th proposal and to "investigate more solid measures."
Oct. 25 Minister of Welfare Naoto Kan said, "I would like Kagawa
Prefecture to feel responsible for the most part," for the solution of the
problem.
Oct. 29 Toru Ishii, from Haikibutsu Taisaku Teshima Jumin Kaigi ,
gave a "special lecture" on the situation of the Teshima Case at the
Faculty of Law, Kagawa University.
Nov. 11 Governor Hirai acknowledged, at a regular press conference,
that the proposals other than the 7th were also being examined.
Nov. 24 Teshima residents formally decided to select "the 1st
proposal" that the industrial wastes be intermediately processed within the
island.
Dec. 1 Teshima residents adopted the declaration of "Let us Restore a
Rich Island in Teshima" at the symposium held at the small gymnasium of
Teshima Primary School.
Dec. 17 Governor Hirai indicated his constructive attitude for the
first time, stating, "If the financial support of the National Government
is available, [I] will make the utmost effort to implement the intermediate
processing of the industrial wastes," in the session of general question at
the Prefectural Assembly.
Dec. 19 The Assembly of Tonosho-cho approved of demanding the National
and Prefectural Governments for the early solution by means of the 1st
proposal.
Dec. 20 Governor Hirai requested the Ministry of Welfare for financial
support to the intermediate processing of the industrial wastes within the
island.
Dec. 21 The Ministry of Welfare announced that the National Government
would subsidize the Prefectural Government-led study of plants for the
intermediate processing of the industrial wastes.
Dec. 26 In the lawsuit where Teshima residents demanded Teshima Sogo
Kanko Kaihatsu and its former President Shosuke Matsuura for the
compensation of 11,850,000 yen and the removal of the industrial wastes,
The Takamatsu District Court announced its final decision to order that the
company pay the total amount of requested compensation and remove the
industrial wastes.
Jan. 6, 1997 Governor Hirai expressed his willingness to "keep a close
consultation with the National Government so that [he] could gain an
agreement from the side of the residents [to start a preparatory study of
the facility for the intermediate processing]," at the New Year press
conference.
Jan. 31 The 14th Round of Arbitration of Environmental Pollution.
Teshima Residents and Kagawa Prefecture reached an agreement on
implementing an intermediate processing in the form of melting the
industrial wastes with high temperature, and decided to set up a committee
for technical study.