Presentation & Video “JICA Clean City Initiative (JCCI) International Seminar 2026”

- Mr. YOSHIKAWA YOSHIFUMI, Senior Vice President, JICA
- Mr. SEKIYA TAKESHI, Director-General, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan

- Mr. ONO HIROSHI, Executive Director, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)

The keynote address revisited SDG12, which is highly relevant to JCCI’s objectives and activities, and reflected on emerging global issues since the adoption of the SDGs. It then suggested core issues for JCCI’s activities toward 2030, illustrated with concrete examples on the ground.

- Mr. SHIBATA KAZUNAO, Deputy Director General/Group Director for Environmental Management and Climate Change, Global Environment Department, JICA

The presentation reviewed the achievements of JCCI at the midpoint of its target period (FY2021–FY2030) and highlighted the significance of JCCI in realizing a circular economy, along with the future direction of environmental cooperation that fosters co‑creation and innovation.

In the context of heightened vulnerabilities resulting from intensified heavy rainfall events and rapid urban expansion, this session shared knowledge and concrete examples from Japanese municipalities and developing countries on the linkages between urban climate resilience and environmental management, such as waste management and wastewater treatment, and provide a platform for discussion.
This session brought together experts from government agencies, local governments, and academic institutions in Japan and developing countries to present initiatives in urban environmental management and strengthen climate resilience. In addition to sharing specific case studies, a panel discussion with the speakers was held to explore the significance of environmental management in enhancing urban climate resilience and to discuss practical measures.

- Dr. ISHIGAKI TOMONORI, Prime Senior Researcher, Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies

Reduced drainage capacity in Asian urban waterways due to blockages caused by waste contributes to increased inundation damage. Promoting appropriate waste management by identifying disposal sources and altering disposal behavior is an effective way of mitigating the extent of flood damage during periods of heavy rainfall. This presentation shared the knowledge obtained in their previous study.

- Mr. TOMIOKA NORIO, Executive Director of Global Networks Department, International Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama

The City of Yokohama is working to support solutions to urban issues in overseas cities through international technical cooperation (Y-PORT Project) in collaboration with the public and private sectors. In this session, the presenter introduced Yokohama’s circular economy measures, international cooperation using such practical examples, inter-city networking through international conferences such as the Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum to be hosted by the City in September 2026, and “Asian Circular Cities Declaration” framework, which was launched by ICLEI Japan in Yokohama last November.

- Mr. SUPHAT PHENGPHAN, Environmentalist, Professional level, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand

The presentation outlined the impacts of climate change in Thailand and introduced the details of national policies, especially Thailand’s National Adaptation Plan, which serves as the primary national strategy for implementing adaptation efforts domestically. Additionally, it introduced case studies of exemplary provincial risk profiles and plans in Thailand, particularly those related to the human settlement and security sectors such as economic security, food security and human security.

-【Moderator】Dr. KAWANISHI MASATO, Senior Advisor, JICA

This session examined case studies on End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) and plastic recycling, including JICA’s cooperation in Thailand and Sri Lanka. It also discussed plastic resource circulation in Japan, highlighting industry–government–academia collaboration, upstream–downstream coordination, and the role of Japanese companies in advancing the circular economy.

- Professor HOSODA EIJI, Assistant Chancellor for Humanities and Social Science / Professor, Department of Economics, School of Political Science and Economics, Tokai University

Japan experienced rapid economic growth after the Second World War, recording nearly 10% growth rate annually for more than seventeen years, and became the world second largest economy. Yet, mass production, mass consumption and mass disposal created so-called waste problems, represented, for example, by difficulty of construction of an incineration plant, shortage of landfill and so on. The government and municipalities introduced the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) action plan and enacted recycling law for several items, coping with those problems. Thanks to these policies, the recycling rate increased on one hand, and the amount of waste decreased on the other. In order to enhance this movement, Japan is now developing the infrastructure (hard law and soft law) for facilitating circulative use of resources and creating a circular economy.

- Mr. MAESHIMA KOJI, Senior Deputy Director, Environmental Management and Climate Change Group, Global Environment Department JICA

JICA promotes cooperation in waste management towards a circular economy, in line with the strategy of the “Improving of Waste Management and Promotion of a Sound Material-Cycle Society” cluster under the “JICA Clean City Initiative”. Based on development stage of the target countries, the following three steps are being taken: improving a series of waste management services, including collection, transport and final disposal (1st stage); reducing environmental impact through waste reduction, plastic recycling, and waste-to-fuel processes. (2nd stage); introducing recycling legislation, such as systems for managing end-of-life vehicles, and encouraging broader participation from stakeholders, including producers in the private sector (3rd stage). Building on its accumulated experiences, JICA aims to further advance its support for the transition to a circular economy.

- Mr. PATTARA CHAMMANA, Engineer, Senior Professional Level, Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry, Thailand

Currently, the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) under the Ministry of Industry in Thailand is considering a draft End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Management System, with technical cooperation from JICA, aiming to ensure the proper treatment and recycling of ELVs. Unlike Japan, Thailand does not have a comprehensive automobile recycling system, which has led to growing environmental challenges, including the illegal dumping of vehicles, the occurrence of untraceable vehicles, greenhouse gas emissions during dismantling and treatment processes, and leakage of waste oil.
Through this project, DIW aims to establish an ELV Management System tailored to the Thai context, thereby promoting proper ELV treatment and recycling, preventing illegal dumping, and reducing environmental impacts.

- Mr. G.N.L. MANOJ RANASINGHE, Environmental Officer, Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka

The current status of plastic waste management in Sri Lanka reveals a significant environmental challenge, with the country generating over 1.6 million tons of plastic waste annually, most of which consists of single-use plastics. Despite national policies, bans on certain products, and strategic plans, implementation and enforcement remain weak. Collection and recycling rates are low, leading to unmanaged waste that pollutes land, waterways, and coastal zones, threatening ecosystems and tourism. Major challenges include limited infrastructure, inadequate public awareness, and insufficient market incentives for recycling. Addressing these issues requires stronger enforcement, improved facilities, public engagement, and circular economy approaches.

- Mr. NAKAMURA KENTARO, Manager of Secretariat, Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)

The Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA) is a public-private partnership dedicated to plastic resource circulation, with 500 members including companies across the entire plastic supply chain and major local governments. The presentation introduced CLOMA's overview, its domestic demonstration projects for plastics between upstream and downstream industries, as well as its international collaborative activities.

This session showcased “Zero Waste” initiatives in Japan and Bhutan, highlighting policy approaches and community participation to advance a circular economy through collaboration among local governments, citizens, and businesses.

Ms. FUJII SONOE, Kamikatsu Town Zero Waste Promoter, Kamikatsu-cho Town Hall

Kamikatsu-cho is the first local government in Japan to declare its Zero Waste. The presentation introduced how the residents of Kamikatsu-cho have worked towards this goal.

- Mr. JIGME GEMBO, Assistant Environment Officer, Waste Management Division, Department of Environment & Climate Change, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan

Bhutan has embraced Zero Waste as a national aspiration, rooted in its constitutional commitment to environmental conservation and the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. This presentation provided an overview of Bhutan’s Zero Waste policy framework and explored how this vision was gradually being translated into practice through the engagement of social enterprises, private sector actors, and community-based initiatives.
While Bhutan faces unique challenges such as limited recycling markets, dependence on imported products, and difficult terrain, emerging collaborations are helping to strengthen resource circulation, waste reduction, and public awareness. By highlighting selected initiatives and policy instruments, the presentation reflected on key gaps, lessons learned, and opportunities for scaling up circular economy practices. The Bhutanese experience offers insights into how small developing countries can advance Zero Waste pathways through inclusive partnerships and adaptive policy design.

- Ms. TSHERING LHAMO, Founder, Gross International Nature (GIN)

- Ms. WATANDO KANA, Co-founder, Director, INOW

【Moderator】Mr. ADACHI ICHIRO, Senior Expert for Environmental Management, Environmental Management and Climate Change Group, Global Environment Department, JICA

This session aims to promote the establishment of new partnerships and innovation among industry, government, academia and citizens. Presentations were made on corporate contributions to solving social challenges through overseas businesses leveraging proprietary technologies and taking advantage of co-creation.

【Facilitator】Mr. SUZUKI TADASHI, Senior Assistant Director, Environmental Management and Climate Change Group, Global Environment Department JICA

- Mr. ARITAKE MASAYOSHI, CEO, A-Tech Co., Ltd.

In order to establish a recycling flow using Rotating Blade Type Sorting Machine in Costa Rica, the company conducted market research, and based on the results, proposed the most appropriate recycling method for Costa Rica to the national and local governments, private companies, and others. They also introduced actual Rotating Blade Type Sorting Machine, realize realistic and sustainable sorting and recycling methods, and work to establish recycling guidelines.

- Mr. KONISHI TAKESHI, Senior Executive Officer, CTO and Head of R&D Center, GUUN Co., Ltd.

SM GUUN Environmental Company, Inc. (SGCEI), a jointly ventured recycling company in the Philippines, was established in July 2024 by SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of the biggest conglomerates in the country, and GUUN Co., Ltd., one of the major recycling companies in Japan. SGECI’s waste plastic and residual waste recycling to produce “Fluff Fuel”, high quality alternative fuel for cement fuel, allows them to reduce landfilling, CO2 emission and improve solid waste management in the Philippines. To realize it, the presenter proposed additional segregation category which separates conventional “Residual Waste” into “Residual for Fuel” and “Residual for Disposal”, so that 15-20 % of total municipal waste is expected to be diverted from landfilling to recycling.

- Mr. YOSHIDA KOSUKE, Vice Manager, Development Dept. of Original Product, Kanazawa Engineering Systems, Inc.

Kanazawa Engineering Systems (KES) has developed the Renergy System, which enables generators to run on unpurified waste cooking oil (WCO). The system promotes local production and local consumption of energy, especially on remote islands where waste disposal and fuel supply are major challenges. This presentation introduced KES’s ongoing activities in the Philippines, focusing on local commercialization, partnership building, and solutions to technical and business development issues. It also explained the current challenges involved in expanding the business and the practical efforts being made to address them. In addition, KES presented initiatives to improve operational efficiency by using monitoring tools that remotely track equipment performance and operating conditions at local sites.

- Mr. TSUTSUMI YOSUKE, Executive Officer, General Affairs Division, TSURUOKA CO.,LTD.

The presentation explained the ELV proper dismantling project that they were carrying out in Japan and the Philippines, and shared their efforts to find optimal solutions for a cross-border circular economy.

- Dr. YOSHIDA MITSUO, Senior Advisor, Global Environment Department, JICA

- Mr. ITO TERUYUKI, Director General, Global Environment Department, JICA