EPA and Japan w Cooperation on environmental problems between the United States and Japan dates back to the early 1970's when both EPA and Japan's Environment Agency were created. This cooperation led, in August, 1975, to the signing of a formal Environmental Agreement for con- sultations, exchanges, and joint projects. A Planning and Coordinating Committee meets annually to discuss the projects, review policies, and make recommenda- tions. Head of the United States delegation is EPA Deputy Administrator Barbara Blum. Thirteen joint projects are conducted under the Agreement. Among the most active are: • Sewage Treatment Technology. EPA and Japanese specialists discuss agricultural use of sewage sludge, sludge disposal technology, treatment of wastes from leather tanning, and air pollution from metals during in- cineration of sludge. • Management of Bottom Sediments Containing Toxic Pollutants. Japanese methods of dealing with toxic pollution of sediments are being investigated. Japanese technology in this area may be useful in helping the United States deal with such problems as the pollution of the James River from Kepone and the Hudson River from PCB's. • Solid Waste Management. A joint conference was held in Washington in April, 1979 to discuss advanced technologies. Other projects include: • Identification and Control of Toxic Substances. • Air-Pollution-Related Meteorology. • Photochemical Air Pollution. • Stationary-Source Air Pollution Control. • Closed Systems for Industrial Waste-Liquid Treatment. • Automobile Pollution Control. • Water Conservation and Flow Reduction. • Controls in Water Quality Management. • Economic Incentives for Pollution Control. • Environmental Impact Assessment. vvEPA United States Environmental Protection Agencv ------- |