Environmental Report 2025
Environmental Risk Management
The JAE Group identifies significant environmental risks based on external and internal issues, environmental impacts, and environmental laws and regulations related to its operations. It formulates action plans and implements countermeasures accordingly.Emergency Response
For operations with a high risk of significantly affecting the environment, we have established emergency response procedures tailored to each operation. We conduct tests and drills of these procedures and verify their effectiveness.| Transfer of fuel from tank truck to fuel tank (spills due to hose disconnection, etc.) |
| Operation of waste gas scrubbers (emission of air pollutants due to malfunction) |
| Use of hazardous substances in the plating process (leakage to floor surfaces, pits, etc.) |
| Storage of hazardous substances in tanks (leakage/discharge due to damage) |
| Leakage of refrigerant fluorocarbons from refrigerators and air conditioners |
Prevention of soil and groundwater pollution
There has been a growing number of cases in which soil and groundwater contamination by hazardous substances has been discovered, as a result of the redevelopment of former factory sites or voluntary surveys. Once contamination occurs, significant costs and time are required for remediation measures. Consequently, awareness of this as a serious issue has been increasing year by year, and related laws and regulations are being strengthened.The JAE Group conducts risk assessments of its facilities that handle toxic substances and those associated with fuel oil, and takes countermeasures to prevent contamination, such as by double-walling underground storage facilities and pipes. This section introduces several activities to prevent contamination.
2010: JAE assessed risk of leakage and seepage into the soil with regard to its facilities that handle toxic substances and fuel oil-related facilities, then began to raise its underground pipes, installing them above ground (JAE Akishima Plant)
2013: The JAE Group commenced inspections with regard to the aging and useful lifespan of environment-related equipment and at facilities designated for storage of toxic substances, and regularly replaces the main valves on collateral pipes and other parts at proper intervals so as to reduce the risk of leakage. (JAE Akishima Plant)
2014: The above-ground installation of pipes, that had run underground, for toxic substances and those related to fuel oil, which had been assessed as high risk, was completed. Accompanying equipment upgrades to clean emissions generated in the plating process, the wastewater cleaning process tower's retainer walls were recoated. (HAE)
2015: In order to construct the Comprehensive Assessment and Testing Building, the former plant was demolished. Soil testing confirmed that there was no contamination. (JAE Akishima Plant, former site of No. 4 plant)
2018: Acid and alkaline treatment tanks were placed above ground and water pipes in the pit were replaced to prevent environmental pollution (HAE).
2019: To further improve the environmental pollution prevention system, a portion of the underground storage tank of the wastewater treatment facility was moved above ground. The above ground move is expected to be completed in several years (HAE).
2021: The septic tank was updated to reduce the risk of soil contamination. (YAE).
2022: In the wastewater treatment building, decanters, pure water pumps, and chemical piping were upgraded to provide greater prevention against spills of hazardous substances and chemicals due to equipment damage and other factors. (HAE)
2022: The tanks for storing liquid waste after plating had new wastewater treatment piping installed and the floor surfaces were repaired to bring the piping above ground in 2023. (HAE)
2023: The frequency of sewage treatment tank cleaning was increased, improving wastewater management and reducing the risk of water pollution. (YAE)
2023: The above-ground installation of tanks for acidic wastewater, alkaline wastewater, fluorine-based wastewater, and cyanide-based wastewater has been completed. (HAE)
2024: Individual ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) were installed on the pumps for each system in the wastewater treatment building to prevent secondary accidents in the event of breaker failure. (HAE)
2024: The load on the septic tank was reduced through regular cleaning using the Gripika method, in which chemicals are added to oily waste accumulated in grease traps to convert it into soapy water for cleaning. (YAE)
Japan’s Water Pollution Prevention Act sets structural standards and requires periodic inspections of facilities that use hazardous substances in order to prevent groundwater contamination. Periodic inspections conducted by the JAE Group have found no serious damage that could potentially cause contamination. Minor damage is promptly repaired upon discovery, and ongoing efforts are made to reduce risk.
Compliance with Environmental Regulations
The JAE Group has registered approximately 70 environmental laws and regulations that require ongoing compliance monitoring. For these registered regulations, the Group periodically checks the Official Gazette and local government bulletins for revisions, and regularly verifies compliance with mandatory notifications and reporting obligations. The following measures, implemented since fiscal 2018, were continued in fiscal 2024 to further strengthen our legal compliance system.
- Standardization across the Group of legal registration forms and compliance status survey forms
- Practical legal training for legal and regulatory staff at each Group site to enhance knowledge of laws and regulations
Establishing voluntary standards stricter than legal requirements for air and water quality
| Air Pollution Control Act Water Pollution Control Act Sewerage Act Municipal ordinances |
Voluntary standards are set at approximately 80% of the legal limits. |
Records of inspections, including checks for fluorocarbon refrigerant leaks in air conditioners, boiler inspections, and liquid nitrogen and other inspections have been shifted from paper-based logs to tablet input, promoting IoT-based management. This enables more efficient inspection work and faster detection of abnormal values. (JAE Akishima Plant, SAE)
●Compliance Record for Fiscal 2024
In fiscal 2024, there were no administrative requests or guidance, nor any fines or lawsuits related to environmental issues such as exceeding standards for exhaust gas, wastewater, noise, or vibration. However, at the JAE Akishima Plant, the BOD and SS values in sewage wastewater exceeded the limit of 300 mg/L on one occasion. This temporary issue, caused by a pump failure in the kitchen wastewater treatment facility, was promptly addressed with countermeasures. In addition, pH values outside the permitted range (5.7 < pH < 8.7) were occasionally observed. The cause is believed to be domestic wastewater generated at the plant, and measures are being implemented. These exceedances were reported to Akishima City, the sewage administrator, and corrective actions are being taken.
●Response to the Act on Promotion of Plastic Resource Circulation
Japan’s Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics took effect in April 2022. This law is broadly relevant to businesses at every stage of the production and disposal of plastic products, and the JAE Group is one of the businesses required to comply with this law.
The JAE Group is promoting activities required by this law more appropriately, such as environmentally friendly design and zero-emissions activities.
| Sites | Manufacturers of plastic product | Specified plastic product providers | Waste producers | High-volume waste producers (Note)> |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAE | applicable | - | applicable | - |
| HAE | - | - | applicable | applicable |
| YAE | - | - | applicable | - |
| FAE | - | - | applicable | - |
| SAE | - | - | applicable | - |
| MGC | - | - | applicable | - |
JAE Hirosaki (HAE) emitted 470.24 tons of industrial waste from plastic-containing products in fiscal 2022, classifying the company as a large-volume waste generator. The company has long worked to reduce and recycle waste plastic, which falls under the category of industrial waste from plastic-containing products. In fiscal 2024, the company is working towards the following targets for its activities, resulting in a total of 447.68 tons of industrial waste from plastic-containing products. Nearly all industrial waste from plastic-containing products has been recycled. In fiscal 2025, we will continue to pursue the targets outlined below and promote the reduction of industrial waste from plastic-containing products.
| Targets | Key Measures |
|---|---|
| Reduction of molding material usage | Reduce the materials used by crushing and reusing (recycling) waste materials during molding |
| Reduction of molding materials discarded due to environmentally friendly design | Reduce the size of molds outside the area used for the product through environmentally friendly design |
| Conversion of waste materials during molding | Improve the conversion of plastic waste into a valuable resource |
Building a Sustainable World
Significance of the 2025 Environmental Report
Symbol of the Group's Environmental Policies
Scope of Reporting and Editorial Policy
Policies and Results of Environmental Activities
Environmental Management
- Implementation Status of the Environmental Management System
- Environmental Audits
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Risk Management
- Environmental Accounting
Engaging with Society
- Involvement with Biodiversity
- Supply Chain Management
- Eco-friendly Products
- Social Contribution Activities
Initiatives to Reduce Environmental Impact