As the chairman of the initiative for the general risk management, science and technology of chemicals in the Council for Science and Technology, Cabinet Office, I would like to explain the present situation of the management of chemicals in Japan and to describe the future direction of this issue.

When you check the history of environmental problems in Japan, you will find some peculiarity, which is different from those in the other advanced countries. Environmental problems in Japan started from the diseases caused by the exposure to hazardous chemicals in the environment. The diseases such as the Minamata disease or the Itai-Itai disease in 1960s are the origin of our bad history of chemical management. The recent asbestos issue, in which ordinary civilians were also involved, proves this fact. As a conclusion, we have to say we were too much in a hurry with much expectation for the economic growth and without enough responsibility for chemical management. I would also like to point out our neglect of the concept of “environmental carrying capacity”. Everybody relied too much on the capacity of the nature without any scientific proofs.

After the health hazard accident due to PCB in the Kanemi oil case, the Law Concerning the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture of Chemical Substances Control was established in 1962. Although some party pointed out the delay in the management system, it seems we finally reached the world top level with having good management and governance by the end of 20th century.

In the 21st century, we are now convinced to have one of the best systems in the world. The reaction of Japan to the RoHS regulation of European Union was the most precise and elaborated one in the world. So called “supply chain management” makes it possible to prevent any contamination of toxic elements such as Pb, Cd, Hg or Cr6+ during the production processes at the suppliers of chemicals, parts and assemblies. As for the Japanese government, it seems they have no intention to create Japanese version of RoHS and the policy to entrust self-management by the company will be taken. It is partly because RoHS regulation does not have the scientific basis of risk assessment.

Government of Japan adopted the keyword of “Anzen to Anshin” as a target of science and technology for the 21st century. “Anzen to Anshin” is difficult to be translated into English. One possible candidate may be “Safety and Sense of Inward Security”. In order to attain the goal of “Anzen to Anshin”, it is necessary to have an integrated management system of the chemicals. Based on this idea, the initiative was formulated in the Council for Science and Technology and the group started to review the directionality of research at present and in the future.

As a result, it was concluded to be necessary to change the system consisting of conventional individual efforts to the one with the concept of overall strategy. The systematical accumulation of the information, the tactical building of a control system, the scientific evaluation of risks and the development of advanced analytical technology are the components necessary in such a strategy.

Future perspectives are also discussed by using a projection technique on a base map.