Japan

Specific Measures:
● Enforcement of environmentally friendly design under the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics
Brief Description:
The government published the “Guideline for Design of Plastic-containing Products” as a way to encourage designers and manufacturers of plastic-containing products to produce environmentally friendly design. The Guideline prescribes using less plastic, reducing excessive packaging, designing products that are easy to disassemble and separate, and using recycled plastic and bio-based plastic. (See also 2.4.)

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Specific Measures:
■ Use of Biodegradable Plastics (bio-plastics)
■ Use of Recycled Materials
■ Others: Securing the Quality and Quantity of Recycled Resources

Name of Action: Enforcement of environmentally friendly design under the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics
Brief Description:
The Guideline for Design of Plastics-containing Products defines matters to be addressed and considered by manufacturers of plastic products, while promoting efforts to reduce the amount of plastic used, to reuse parts, to design plastic products or to devise the types of parts/raw materials to facilitate recycling, to substitute materials other than plastic, and to use recycled plastic and bioplastics. A scheme is established where competent minister will certify particularly excellent designs from the products that comply with these guidelines.
The government is promoting the use of plastic products manufactured based on certified designs (certified plastic products) by giving consideration under the Green Purchasing Law and by supporting recycling facilities.

Name of Action: Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives
Brief Description:

1. Acceleration of research and technological development by utilizing available funds including　Green Innovation Fund,　based on the “Roadmap for Development, Introduction and diffusion of Marine Biodegradable Bio-based Plastics”. This includes but is not limited to analysis of biodegradation mechanism, development of new resin, reduction of manufacturing costs, and international standardization;
2. Support for development of marine biodegradable plastic, especially for fishing gear;
3. Support for replacement of plastic products with paper, marine biodegradable plastics, cellulose materials, etc. through the “Program to promote establishment of decarbonized and circular economy”. The project was initiated to support actions on microbeads in FY2020, and was also implemented in FY2021 targeting actions on other plastic materials.

Name of Action: Ensuring the quantity and quality of recycled materials
Brief Description:
The Act Concerning Sophistication of Recycling Business, etc. to Promote Resource Circulation (2024) takes measures such as formulating a basic policy, reporting and publicizing the status of implementation of recycling by industrial waste disposers with particularly large disposal volumes, and establishing an accreditation system related to sophistication of recycling business, etc. In the system, certified operators are eligible for special exceptions to the procedures for various types of permits, including permits, etc. for waste disposal businesses under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act.

Specific Measures:Resource circulation strategy for plastics
Targeted Products
■ Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Brief Description:
Promoting countermeasures to prevent microplastics leakage into sea, for example, by the reduction of micro-beads contained in body scrubs.

Specific Measures:Act on Promoting the Treatment of Marine Debris Affecting the Conservation of Good Coastal Landscapes and Environments to Protect Natural Beauty and Variety
Targeted Products
■ Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Brief Description:
The Act defines basic principles for the measures required for the smooth treatment of debris that drift ashore and the measures required for the control of its generation. In particular, the Act has a provision on microplastics (see below), which resulted in countermeasures such as reduction of micro-beads contained in scrubs.

“Article 11-2: In order to control microplastics from flowing into sea areas, business entities must endeavor to control the use of microplastics in products which will be released into rivers and other public waterways or sea areas after using the products in an ordinary way, and must endeavor to control the generation of waste plastics.”
https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/ja/laws/view/4233

Specific Measures: Reduction of micro-beads contained in body scrubs
Targeted Products
■ Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Brief Description:
In January 2019, the cosmetics industry association set a voluntary standard to stop using microplastic beads in body scrubs.

■ Regulatory Measures (ex: production ban, Ban on use..etc):
Brief Description:
● Reducing the use of “specified plastic-containing products”
・From April 2022, retailers and service providers who provide“ specified plastic products^*” are required to implement any initiatives (for example, confirming customers’ preference on the use / non-use of the products, giving consumers point rewards for not receiving the products, charging for their use, or offering items made from alternative materials) to reduce the amount of waste of the plastic products.

Targeted products:
・Specified plastic products

^*: refers to total of 12 plastic items: forks, spoons, table knives, stir sticks, straws; hairbrushes, combs, razors, toothbrushes, shower caps; hangers and clothing covers.

■ Economic Measures (levy, tax, subsidies…etc.)
Brief Description:
● Charge for plastic shopping bags
From July 2020, retailers and service providers are implementing to charge for plastic shopping bags.

Targeted products:
・Plastic shopping bags
(Reference)
“Effect of introduction of charges to plastic shopping bags” (Ministry of the Environment Japan)
20220128result.pdf (env.go.jp)

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Specific Measures:

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Specific Measures: Enforcement of proper waste management systems
Brief Description:

1. Comprehensive enforcement of waste collection based on public cooperation, e.g. proper waste sorting and disposal practice, in accordance with waste management and recycling regulations;
2. Installation of recycling facilities to increase domestic recycling capability and to improve recycling of polystyrene foam boxes (commonly used in fisheries) with the latest technologies;
3. Enforcement of collection and appropriate treatment of used plastics in agricultural sector in collaboration with relevant associations;
4. Enforcement of onshore collection and appropriate treatment of plastic waste, such as used fishing gear in line with guidelines developed in 2020;
5. Support for developing countries, including through ODA and other cooperation schemes, with regard to regulations for environmentally sound waste management and circular economy, enforcement through capacity and institutional building and formulation of action plans and guidelines, and deployment of advanced environmental infrastructure such as waste-to-energy plants.

Specific Measures: Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean
Brief Description:

1. Strengthening of patrols by national and local government;
2. Support for the beverage industry association to install PET bottle collection boxes next to vending machines to achieve 100% recycling;
3. Prevention of unintentional leakage of plastics through appropriate use and proper management of fishing gear by fishers.

Specific Measures: Reduction of disposal and recycling by disposing businesses
Under this scheme, by preparing a “Recycling Business Plan” and obtaining certification from the government, business operators can conduct recycling business targeting used/waste plastic products, etc. from industrial sources without a business license required under the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law (Waste Disposal and Public Cleaning Law).

For businesses that generate a large amount of waste, they are required to set targets for the reduction and recycling of industrial waste (plastic products) and to systematically implement measures to achieve these targets.

Specific Measures:
In order to examine the amount of plastic waste that flows into the ocean due to garbage littering on land in Japan, surveys are conducted on plastic waste collected by dust collectors (filters) installed at several drainage pumping stations (4 stations in FY2024).
*Collection is not the main purpose

Name of Action:
Support for collection and treatment of coastal marine litter by local government
Brief Description:
Promotion is conducted for the collection and treatment of marine litter by local governments, through the “Project for promoting local measures against coastal marine debris” based on the “Marine Litter Act” (FY2024 budget: JPY 3.695billion). In addition, multi-functional measures (FY2025 budget: JPY 1.366 billion) are being used to encourage fishers to take action on the collection and treatment of marine litter including marine plastics, for the maintenance and recovery of the marine ecosystem. Furthermore, local governments are encouraged to cooperate with fishers to bring any litter they collect while fishing to port, making use of subsidies under the “Marine Litter Act”. In order to expand this effort, a demonstration project was started in FY2020. In addition, when fishers volunteer to collect marine litter, the national government provides full support for the litter processing cost and supports 28 prefectures.

Name of Action:
Collection of Scattered Waste on Land
Brief Description:

1. The Nippon Foundation and the Ministry of the Environment are jointly promoting “UMIGOMI Zero Week” - a series of nationwide simultaneous cleanup activities under the slogan “Zero Marine Litter (“umigomi” means marine litter in Japanese). More than 600,000 people participated in events at approximately 1,300 locations in FY2024.
2. Support for the “Adopt Program” for citizens to carry out cleaning, beautification and management activities with a strong attachment to local public areas;
3. Support for clean-up and litter collection activities in cooperation with river administration authorities, local governments, and residents.

Name of Action:
Removal of Plastic Litter from the Ocean
Brief Description:

1. Support for local governments to collect and treat coastal marine litter in accordance with “Act on Promoting the Treatment of Marine Debris Affecting the Conservation of Good Coastal Landscapes and Environments to Protect Natural Beauty and Variety” (hereafter “Marine Litter Act”);
2. Support for collection of marine litter by fishers in collaboration with local governments/communities. In order to expand this effort, a demonstration project was started from FY2020. In addition, when fishers volunteer to collect marine litter, the national government now covers the cost for processing the litter. A total of 32 prefectures declared their support for fishers.
3. Collection of floating marine litter using marine environment maintenance vessels in enclosed sea areas, and by port administration authorities in port areas.

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Specific Measures:
MOEJ and Fisheries Agency encourage fishers to retrieve marine debris (including ghost nets) which they collect as bycatch.

Source: Manual for Marine Litter Collection through Cooperation between Fishermen and Local Governments
(in Japanese)
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000159344.pdf

Specific Measures:
● Guidelines on fishery-related waste management
The guidelines were developed to reiterate and widely communicate to all concerned how to properly dispose of fishery waste in accordance with current laws and regulations.
 
MOEJ: https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/misc/guideline/gyogyokei/post_55.html
Fisheries Agency:
https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/sigen/action_sengen/attach/pdf/190418-19.pdf

Specific Measures:
● Subsidies for the promotion of recycling of marine plastic waste in fisheries
Subsidies are provided for the promotion of recycling of marine plastic waste in fisheries in support of efforts led by fishermen's cooperatives, industry associations, and local governments to build a framework that can draw on the technical capabilities and networks of companies and the cooperation of local residents, and to promote the collection, sorting, and recycling of marine plastic waste in cooperation with various entities.

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Brief Description:
● Act on Prevention of Marine Pollution and Maritime Disaster (1970, amended in 2012)
The Act was amended in 2012 to transpose MARPOL – Annex V which regulates for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships. The Act prohibits in principle discharge of waste from ships and maritime facilities while also stipulating waste which may be discharged being unharmful to the marine environment, and is applicable to the waste generated by the ships until it is discharged to a port.
 
● Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning (1970, amended in 2022)
Once the waste is discharged in a Japanese port, the Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning is applied. Depending on the discharger and properties, the waste will be categorized into either “municipal waste” or “industrial waste”.
 
● Port and Harbour Act (1950)
The Act stipulates the responsibility of the Port Management Body to provide services to ships, including water supply, assistance in docking and undocking of ships, treatment of waste oil generated by ships and other services when these services are not provided properly and adequately by others.
In addition, a subsidy program based on the Act (Art. 43) also exists which aims to support construction and/or renovation of facilities for treating maritime waste including waste from ships, which are deemed port facilities under the Act. Such facilities include: (1) waste reception facilities, (2) waste crushing facilities, (3) waste incineration facilities, and (4) other waste treatment facilities. The Port management body can use the subsidy program to develop waste facilities where there are no other service providers that can provide such waste management services.
 
Other Relevant Laws
● Quarantine Act
Based on Art. 4 of the Act, ships arriving from foreign countries must undergo quarantine procedures in accordance with the prescribed procedures for the cargo and crew members on board. Waste generated by the ships is also subject to such quarantine procedures.
 
● Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock
When importing the carcasses of animals designated as specified quarantine items subject to animal quarantine, it is necessary to attach an inspection certificate issued in the exporting country in accordance with the Livestock Quarantine Act, notify the Animal Quarantine Service, and undergo the prescribed inspection.
 
● Customs Act
When bringing shipboard waste generated on the high seas into Japan for disposal, an import declaration must be made in accordance with Article 67 of the Customs Act, and the necessary inspections must be conducted to obtain permission.

Brief Description:

• Based on the Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning, a contractor must properly manage waste generated in the course of its business activities on its own. Thus, ship operators are responsible for treatment of the waste generated by their ships, in line with the Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning.
• Treatment of waste generated in the course of its business activities is usually entrusted to the municipal waste collection and transport service provider permitted by municipalities. Similarly, ship operators are in principle expected to entrust the treatment of the generated waste to the waste collection and transport service contractor.

Brief Description:

• There are waste reception facilities located in and around the ports to handle the solid waste from ships.
• Solid waste from ships is handled by private waste management companies licensed by municipalities, which are contracted by ship operators. Solid waste from ships is handled appropriately by these companies nationwide.
• There are no statistics on the amount of solid waste collected from ships.

Brief Description:
Based on the Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning, waste unloaded from ships is transported to an intermediate treatment facility, where it undergoes intermediate treatment and then some of it is recycled. The remainder is transported to a final disposal site for landfill disposal.

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Specific Measures:
National LEVEL
Name of Action 1: Plastics Smart
Brief Description:
Plastics Smart is a national campaign implemented by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, in 2019 aiming to create a national trend and advance initiatives to prevent the generation of marine litter, while encouraging proper understanding of the state of marine plastic pollution through public awareness activities and public information, with the key phrase, “a smart relationship with plastic.”
 
As of May 2025, over 3,572 initiatives have been registered to the Plastics Smart website, and information is spreading widely both in Japan and abroad through the campaign site and various events.
 
https://plastics-smart.env.go.jp/

In March 2025, Plastics Smart Symposium was co-organized by MOEJ and Hyogo Prefecture to shed light on local public-private-partnership projects and actions under the Local Blue Ocean Vision Project.

Name of Action 2: UMIGOMI Zero Week
Brief Description:
The Nippon Foundation and the Ministry of the Environment are jointly promoting “UMIGOMI Zero Week” - a nationwide simultaneous cleanup activities under the slogan “Zero Marine Litter (“umigomi” means marine litter in Japanese).

Name of Action 3: Good Practices for Reducing Microplastics
Brief Description:
“Good　Practices　for　Reducing Microplastics” is a collection of initiatives and technologies by Japanese companies, contributing to the prevention, reduction, and collection of microplastics. The good practices are then disseminated and internationally.

Name of Action 4: Marine Plastic Litter Academic Symposium
Brief Description:
The symposium has been held annually since FY2020 with the aim of sharing the progress and results of research on marine plastic litter in Japan with the general public as well as expanding the research and promoting further research. In FY2024, more than 70 people attended the symposium.

LOCAL LEVEL
Name of Action 5: Local Blue Ocean Vision Project
Brief Description:
Local governments have conducted model projects to measure marine litter in coastal regions and inland areas. Seven regions were newly selected as model areas in FY2024.

Name of Action 6: “UMIGOMI Zero” declaration by local governments (“umigomi” means marine litter in Japanese)
Brief Description:
Declaration of intent to promote marine litter control in the region. As of April 2025, 129 local governments have declared to be “UMIGOMI Zero”.

Name of Action 7: Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)
Brief Description:
“Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)” has developed valuable partnerships among relevant business operators along the plastic supply chain, ensuring the creation of various innovative approaches.

Specific Measures: ● Compilation and dissemination of “Good Practices” for reducing microplastics
A collection of initiatives and technologies by Japanese companies, contributing to the prevention, reduction, and collection of microplastics. The good practices are then disseminated internationally.
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000305649.pdf

Specific Measures:
Name of Action 1:
Marine Litter Learning Materials (for elementary and junior high school students and high school students)
Brief Description:
A summary of the current status of marine debris, spill routes, and other basic information.

Specific Measures: ● Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (Also reported for 3.1.2.)

1. Acceleration of research and technological development by utilizing available funds including　Green Innovation Fund,　based on the “Roadmap for Development, Introduction and Diffusion of Marine Biodegradable Bio-based Plastics”. This includes but not limited to analysis of biodegradation mechanism, development of new resin, reduction of manufacturing costs, and international standardization;
2. Support for development of marine biodegradable plastic, especially for fishing gear;
3. Program to Promote Establishment of Decarbonized and Circular Economy:
   The program was initiated in FY2020 to support social implementation of CO₂-saving recycling processes including those on composite plastic materials, and has financially supported pilot projects on replacement of plastic products with paper, prevention/replacement of microbeads, marine biodegradable plastics, cellulose materials, etc.

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Scope: ■ National
Brief Description:
Many businesses are using LCA methods for assessing impacts of their plastic products.
Japan Initiative for Marine Environment (JaIME) has released a summary of the LCA Evaluation of Industrial Plastic Waste.
https://www2.nikkakyo.org/sites/default/files/LCA%20Evaluation%20of%20Industrial%20Plastic%20Waste%20%EF%BD%9Esummary%EF%BD%9E%20October%202022%20JaIME.pdf

Scope: ■ National
Brief Description:
Plastic Waste Management Institute (an association of plastic industries) compiles/publishes Material Flow diagram annually.
https://www.pwmi.or.jp/business/material-flow/　

Specific Measures 1: Harmonization of ocean surface microplastics monitoring methodologies (Also reported for 2.4.)
■ Established a Monitoring/Reporting Program/Mechanism
Scope: ■ International ■ Microplastics (<5mm)
■ Ocean
Brief Description:
Japan is taking the lead in harmonization of monitoring methods globally, which resulted in publication of the “Guidelines for Harmonizing Ocean Surface Microplastic Monitoring Methods” in 2019 (revised in 2020 and 2023).
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000170493.pdf

Specific Measures 2: Global Database for Monitoring Data (AOMI)
■ Established a Monitoring/Reporting Program/Mechanism
Scope: ■ International ■ Microplastics (<5mm)
■ Ocean
Brief Description:
Launched in May 2024, Atlas of Ocean Microplastics (AOMI) is a global database which compiles and shares monitoring and observation data on ocean microplastics provided by researchers, research institutes, and governments from around the world.

The data, including microplastics particle density results, are organized according to "Guidelines for Harmonizing Ocean Surface Microplastic Monitoring Methods" (See above) to improve data comparability and promote higher level analysis of microplastic issues and application to policy development.

All data provided in AOMI are quality-controlled and AOMI has functions for extracting comparable data, 2D map display, advanced correction data based on the latest scientific findings and its 2D maps, etc. for free of charge to users. Comparable and easy-to-understand 2D maps provided by AOMI are expected to be utilized by policymakers, researchers, the general public, and all stakeholders and contribute to implementing effective countermeasures against plastic pollution through encouraging further data accumulation and utilization.

Visit: https://aomi.env.go.jp/

Specific Measures 3: Harmonized guidelines for monitoring marine litter using remote sensing technologies (Also reported for 2.4.)
■ Established a Monitoring/Reporting Program/Mechanism
Scope: ■ International ■ Macro Plastics
■ Ocean
Brief Description:
When taking internationally coordinated measures against marine plastic debris, it is necessary to understand the actual status of marine plastic debris discharged from land areas to sea areas as a basis for such measures. One of the monitoring and analysis methods that enable continuous and efficient surveys over a wide area is the collection and analysis of image data using remote sensing technology. The guideline summarizes the necessary procedures in utilizing such technology.

Specific Measures 4: Promotion of research on (1) the state and impact of microplastics on living organisms and ecosystems, (2) leakage to ocean, and (3) countermeasures for reducing leakages.
■ Conduct Monitoring/Scientific Research
Scope: ■ International ■ Microplastics (<5mm)
■ Ocean ■（Others: living organisms and ecosystems ）
Brief Description:
There are large knowledge gaps in the distribution of microplastics and their impact on living organisms and ecosystems.
Japan initiated a survey on the distribution of microplastics in marine areas.
In addition, a survey on the impact on living organisms and ecosystem is ongoing since FY2018 under the Environment Research & Technology Development Fund.

Specific Measures 5: Investigation and estimation of domestically-generated amounts and routes, as well as an investigation into floating plastic
■ Conduct Monitoring/Scientific Research
Scope: ■ National ■ Macro Plastics
■ Ocean ■（Others: rivers, soils, air etc.）
Brief Description:
In order to understand the domestically-generated amounts and routes of marine litter, promoting Investigation and estimation.

Specific Measures 6: Research on methods for evaluating the impact of marine plastic litter, including microplastics, on living organisms and ecosystems.
■ Conduct Monitoring/Scientific Research
Scope: ■ Macro Plastics ■ Microplastics (<5mm)
■ Ocean ■（Others: rivers, soils, air etc.）
Brief Description:
In this study, we investigated the exposure and toxicity of MPs for the purpose of examining the particle effects of MPs on aquatic organisms. We grasped the latest domestic and international trends by conducting a literature survey on toxicity information and hazard assessment data, etc., and held peer reviews and review committees by experts.

Specific Measures 7: Development of survey guidelines and case studies for marine plastics (Also reported for 2.4.)
■ Established a Monitoring/Reporting Program/Mechanism
■ Regularly Conduct Monitoring/Estimation/Scientific Research
Scope: ■ Local ■ National
■ Macro Plastics ■ Microplastics (<5mm) ■ Ocean ■（Others: land, rivers, etc.）
Brief Description:
In order to understand the historical amount and composition of litter discharged from land to the ocean via rivers, survey guidelines and case studies were developed and shared with local governments and research institutes.
https://www.env.go.jp/water/marine_litter/post_118.html

Specific Measures 8: Survey on ecological impact on fish and shellfish that have ingested microplastics.
■ Conduct Monitoring/Scientific Research
Scope: ■ Microplastics (<5mm)
Brief Description:
The survey carries out various measurements with fish and shellfish fed with microplastics, such as the residence time of microplastics in their body and the amount of toxic substances eluted in their digestive organs, which were absorbed by microplastics.

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Specific Measures:
● Name of Action 1: Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris
Target Regions:
■ South East Asia
Brief Description:
Japan continues to provide support to ASEAN countries, based on the ASEAN+3 Marine Plastics Debris Cooperative Action Initiative, for various measures such as: awareness raising for local governments, citizens and business units; development of national action plans on marine litter; capacity building for proper waste management including waste-to-energy infrastructure; as well as promoting knowledge-sharing through “Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris“ housed in Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris was established at ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) in 2019 with the support of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. The center carries on information-sharing to raise awareness and promote actions taken by private sector and citizens in ASEAN +3 countries.
The specific approaches are as follows;

1. Creating an online platform to share good practices accomplished by the private sector
2. Providing information on related policies for the private sector
3. Sharing positive case studies of good practices of private companies

● Name of Action 2: Contributions to the G20 Report on Actions against Marine Plastic Litter and relevant website updates
Target Regions:
■ Other: G20 and beyond
Brief Description:
Japan has provided support to the G20 presidency countries to carry out the G20 Marine Plastic Litter reporting initiative since 2019. Actions against marine plastic litter taken by 60 countries and 16 institutions / NGOs are summarized in the latest report.

● Name of Action 3: UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP-IETC)
Target Regions:
■ South Asia ■ Oceania ■ South East Asia
Brief Description:
As the host country of the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP-IETC), Japan provides financial, in-kind, and substantive contributions to the Centre’s operations. UNEP-IETC supports Member States in strengthening integrated waste management systems toward a circular economy, including for plastic waste. Under the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, IETC is implementing a regional initiative titled “From Waste to Wealth: SME-led Plastic Recycling for a Circular Economy” in Cambodia and Pakistan. This project promotes the environmentally sound management of plastic waste by empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), developing localized recycling models, and fostering market-based and investment-driven solutions. The initiative aims to scale up good practices and support the transition to a circular economy in Asia through technical cooperation, data-informed policy recommendations, and stakeholder capacity development.

● Name of Action 4: UNEP:Strengthening Plastic Pollution Management in Asia and the Pacific
Target Regions:
■ South Asia ■ South East Asia
Brief Description:
Building on the achievements of the previous projects implemented in South East Asia since 2019, Japan, in collaboration with UNEP, initiated this project to strengthen management of plastic pollution in Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Fiji, and Palau from April 2023 to March 2025. The project aimed to further enhance tools and protocols for assessment and monitoring capabilities and to reinforce national and local waste management systems for plastic pollution management in targeted communities.
Under the project, various capacity-building opportunities were provided. A series of workshops were organized—11 times at the regional level and 8 times at the national level—to enhance capacity in monitoring and assessments, and introduce a systematic approach to plastic pollution management in countries. These workshops also facilitated south-south cooperation and cross-region learning through knowledge sharing on best practices in multi-stakeholder engagement.

● Name of Action 5: UNEP “Accelerating a Circular Plastic Economy to Reduce Plastic Pollution and its Impacts in African region and its countries”
Target Regions:
■ Africa
Brief Description:
Japan and UNEP are working together in the African region to provide technical support to governments and the private sector in the food and beverage sector on the development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This project aims to enhance regional engagement in the INC process to enhance technical knowledge of Member States in Africa, and strengthen capacity of UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and Resident Coordinator (RCs) to integrate the plastic agenda into their planning.

Specific Measures:
● Name of Action 1: ASEAN Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network
Target Regions:
■ South East Asia
Brief Description:
Since 2023, the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN ) is a network of young regional champions implementing their solutions to the marine plastic debris crisis. This is the first of a multi-year program between the ASEAN region and Japan that trains young environmental leaders and provides funding to implement youth-led solutions to the related issues surrounding marine plastic debris, waste management, and circular economy. The program aims to support the implementation of ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific and particularly the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN (2021-2025).
In 2024, the 33 AJYELN fellows implemented their projects from August 2024 to January 2025. A total of 63 AJYELN activities were conducted across 8 ASEAN member states and Japan. These included among others, drama performances on the impact of plastic pollution in Kampung Ayer in Brunei, beach cleanups in Bali, Indonesia, and Langkawi, Malaysia, development of casein as an alternative material to plastic in Sapporo, Japan, poster-making contests in Yangon, Myanmar, workshops on the use of plastic-free fishing equipment on a fishing community in Cebu, Philippines, interview video series featuring the youth perspective on plastic consumption in Singapore, mangrove planting in Samut Songkhram, Thailand, and plastic upcycling camps in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The results of the implementation were featured in a hybrid Symposium in Tokyo on March 13, 2025.

● Name of Action 2: Global Database for monitoring data (AOMI)(Also reported for 3.4.3.)
Target Regions:
■ Global
Brief Description:
Japan is taking the lead in promoting compiling and sharing ocean microplastics monitoring data through establishing a global database. Launched in May 2024, the Atlas of Ocean Microplastics (AOMI) is a global database which compiles and shares monitoring and observation data on ocean microplastics provided by researchers, research institutes, and governments from around the world.

The data, including microplastics particle density results, are organized according to "Guidelines for Harmonizing Ocean Surface Microplastic Monitoring Methods" (See above) to improve data comparability and promote higher level analysis of microplastic issues and application to policy development.

All data provided in AOMI are quality-controlled and AOMI has functions for extracting comparable data, 2D map display, advanced correction data based on the latest scientific findings and its 2D maps, etc. for free of charge to users. Comparable and easy-to-understand 2D maps provided by AOMI are expected to be utilized by policymakers, researchers, the general public, and all stakeholders and contribute to implementing effective countermeasures against plastic pollution through encouraging further data accumulation and utilization.
 
Visit: https://aomi.env.go.jp/

● Name of Action 3: Training program on marine litter monitoring methods
Target Regions:
■ Global
Brief Description:
Training programs on monitoring methodologies of marine litter (floating litter, seabed litter, beach litter, ocean surface microplastics, and microplastics in rivers) have been conducted every year for governmental officials and researchers responsible for monitoring especially in Southeast Asian countries.

● Name of Action 4: “MARINE Initiative”
Brief Description:
The “MARINE The “MARINE Initiative” was launched focusing on (1) Management of waste, (2) Recovery of marine litter, (3) Innovation, and (4) Empowerment, including provision of training for 10,000 officials engaging in waste management all over the world by 2025.　To date, Japan has already trained more than 30,000 personnel under this initiative. Based on the MARINE Initiative, Japan, in cooperation with international organizations, has implemented numerous projects to tackle marine plastic pollution.
 
Japan provides support to empower developing countries to promote waste management, recover marine litter, and innovate, including training for 10,000 officials engaging in waste management worldwide by 2025.
 
Visit: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ic/ge/page25e_000317.html

● Name of Action 5: Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF)
Target Regions:
■ South East Asia
Brief Description:
Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) has been financing several projects to mitigate marine plastics in ASEAN.

● Name of action 6: Marine Plastics Abatement (MPA)
Target Regions:
■ South East Asia
Brief Description:
Marine Plastics Abatement (MPA) is a one-year Master degree program that was launched at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) with support from Japan’s “MARINE Initiative” in August 2020. The program will train a new generation of Asian environmental leaders to combat the ocean plastic litter problem through advanced technologies and sound management practices.