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Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control
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Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control

1967, Japan
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The Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control was enacted in Japan in 1967, marking the world's first comprehensive law of its kind. This legislation arose from rapid industrialization after World War II, which led to significant environmental contamination and public health issues, such as mercury poisoning in Minamata from industrial waste in fish. The law aimed to establish a policy for controlling pollution, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental problems in Japan during the 1960s. This initiative predates the widespread adoption of the "polluter pays" principle in environmental law, which gained prominence in the early 1970s.123

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. environmental law - The “polluter pays” principle
  2. environmental law - Historical development
  3. Japan - The environment
  4. Japan - Political developments

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