Integrated Environmental Management—Experience in Japan

This article reviews the experience of Osaka Prefectural Government with the development of its system of integrated environmental management. Osaka is the second largest city in Japan, with a population of 8·7 million. The Prefectural Government has been something of a leader in Japan with the development of innovative policies to deal with urban environmental problems. rm of environmental policy in Japan is discussed and local government activity in the area of environmental management is reviewed. The structure of Osaka Prefectureʹs environmental administration is then presented and the evolution of and approach to integrated environmental management is discussed. The three integrated environmental plant produced by Osaka Prefectural Government in 1973, 1982 and 1992 are reviewed and conclusions are drawn on lessons for local government policy makers in the United Kingdom.