IPTS report on "The Japanese technological response to global environmental problems"
The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), one of the eight institutes of the Commission's Joint Research Centre, has published a report on "The Japanese technological response to global environmental problems". One of the main tasks of the IPTS is the observation and follow-up of technological change and its relationship to the economy and society. This is being carried out with the aim of contributing to the creation of a common knowledge base for decision-makers at Community, national and regional level. In this context, the Institute is publishing a series of studies, prepared during the 1990-1994 period of activities, which it hopes will contribute to improving common understanding of the complex relationship between science and technology, society and economy. The Institute's report on the Japanese technological response to global environmental problems stems from a study mission to Japan carried out in 1991. During the mission, in-depth discussions were held with government offices, national laboratories, industrial associations, utilities, private companies and academics. There appeared to be a strong concern for environmental problems at the highest level in all the organizations visited, which was reflected in well-funded programmes. It appeared that this concern was not primarily motivated by the prospects of industrial opportunity in the environmental business but reflected a new Japanese corporate desire to rectify the environmental damage caused by earlier industrial activities. The report (99 pages) consists of an executive summary of the mission, individual visit reports and supplementary information.
Countries
Japan