Water Quality Management in Japan: Recent Developments and Challenges for Integration

Abstract

ABSTRACTJapanese water quality management is evolving toward the more integrated management of water resources by adapting to the changes in society, such as changes in public perceptions on water and the environment; diversification of water usage; and the state of water quality itself. Mitigation of water pollution and conservation of the watershed environment and ecosystem services have begun to be recognized as important elements of water quality management. In that sense, water quality management in Japan is now transforming from management of water quality to management of the wider water environment. Although there have been signs of integration of the quantity and quality aspects of water management, this paper concludes that opportunities to promote integrated management should be further explored in Japan and that local governments must play a key role in the promotion of integrated water resources management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.