http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/20848/story.htm
Delight and dismay as Tokyo tightens diesel rules JAPAN: May 21, 2003 TOKYO - Shoichi Hatsuyama pulls the oxygen tube from his face and struggles for breath as he tugs on a pair of socks and a jacket for yet another trip to the hospital. Once a salesman and keen amateur baseball player, the chubby 53-year-old developed asthma 17 years ago and is now virtually confined to his tiny apartment in Adachi, a shabby area of northeast Tokyo, where he lives alone. A lifelong non-smoker, Hatsuyama is one of more than 500 plaintiffs pursuing the government and car manufacturers through the courts claiming compensation for respiratory illnesses they say are caused by vehicle exhaust. Now Tokyo and its surrounding areas are planning to clamp down on diesel emissions from October, a move that delights Hatsuyama. "I welcome the regulations," he says. "I think they need to put more restrictions on cars and stop building roads at such a pace," he adds, slinging a heavy oxygen cylinder over his shoulder before stepping outside. Asthmatics may breathe easier, but the rules could choke many in Japan's haulage and construction sectors, which employ over 10 percent of the workforce. The battle for better air is a vote-winner. Shintaro Ishihara, often cited as a potential future prime minister, cruised to a second term as Tokyo governor in April after campaigning with a plastic bottle of soot illustrating the type of detritus finding its way into people's lungs. TROUBLE IN THE AIR Last week, the outspoken Ishihara wrote to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi alleging his government had failed to live up to his promises on pollution and threatening to sue. Ishihara is considering introducing a fee for driving into the capital, similar to London's "congestion charging" which cut traffic by over 20 percent when it was introduced in February. Air quality in Japan has improved dramatically since Hatsuyama was a sports-mad boy. Emissions of sulphur oxides were slashed by 82 percent between 1970 and 1992, according to the OECD. Nitrous oxide emissions were cut by 22 percent. Restrictions on emissions from new cars are strict and Japanese manufacturers are leading developers of hybrid and low emission vehicles. But diesel emissions cloud the air in major cities. Diesel particulate matter consists of soot mixed with anything from volatile organic compounds to sulphur and nitrous oxides. It is associated with cancer as well as aggravating conditions including heart disease and asthma. "Gasoline costs about 100 yen (87 cents) a litre...diesel costs about 70 yen," says environmental consultant and university lecturer Teiichi Aoyama. "Japan has kept diesel cheap for industrial and business use. As a result, the number of diesel-powered vehicles has grown enormously." Tokyo seems to have fallen behind big cities in other wealthy countries on particulate emissions, according to OECD figures, although international comparisons are difficult because different measuring methods are used. CLEAN SWEEP The city government hopes new regulations on diesel-powered commercial vehicles will cut particulate emissions in Tokyo to 1,600 tonnes-a-year from 4,300 tonnes in 2000. "Basically, if your vehicle does not comply with the regulations, you must either buy a new one or fit a device that will bring it in line with the rules," says Hiroaki Furuta of the city government's pollution control department. For example, 0.25 gm of particulate emissions per kilowatt hour will be allowed for a four-tonne truck. Owners of some older trucks will have to cut emissions by up to two thirds or risk fines of up to 500,000 yen ($4,300) if caught by roving inspectors, or by cameras to be set up on Tokyo streets. The clampdown could help Japan's struggling truck makers. Analysts say they will likely shift 90,000 large trucks this year, up on 76,000 in 2002. But many small companies in the haulage and construction industries may not be able to afford new models. "I'd like to replace my vehicles, but that is difficult at the moment, with the economy so bad," said Mitsuo Ozawa, who owns a freight company based with 40 trucks in northern Tokyo. The industry association says 70 percent of Tokyo's 5,000 or so haulage companies are in the red. In some cases, the financial burden of fitting filters or catalytic converters at up to 1.3 million yen per vehicle could mean collapse, despite local government subsidies. "I'll have to cut back the size of my business and see how it goes. In the end, I may have to close down altogether," Ozawa said, before pedalling away on his bicycle. ($=115.25 yen). Story by Isabel Reynolds REUTERS NEWS SERVICE ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Get A Free Psychic Reading! 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