[Report] "Tianjin Environmental Exchange Program" commissioned by Yokkaichi City in FY2025 was implemented.

Summary

　Yokkaichi City and Tianjin, People's Republic of China have continued exchanges in various fields since their friendship city affiliation in 1980. As part of these exchanges, ICETT has been commissioned by Yokkaichi City to implement training programs aimed at addressing the environmental challenges faced by Tianjin. This year, the 45th anniversary of the friendship city affiliation, the participants visited Japan for training under the theme of "prevention of water environmental pollution".

Background and Objectives

　While Tianjin is undergoing rapid economic development, the city is also facing many environmental problems, making their improvement as an urgent priority. This project aims to help staff of the Tianjin Ecology and Environment Bureau, among others, gain an understanding of Japanese environmental conservation technologies and management practices, which can be applied to improve Tianjin’s environmental conditions.

Contents

• Training period: Monday, November 10, 2025 - Thursday, November 13, 2025
• Training participants: Tianjin Ecology and Environment Bureau and other officials, 6 in total

　At the beginning of the training, the training participants and Yokkaichi city officials exchanged views on the water environment conservation efforts of both cities. It was a valuable opportunity to learn about the similarities and differences between the efforts of the two cities.

In lectures delivered by Yokkaichi City officials, participants acquired foundational knowledge for the training, including Japan’s Water Pollution Prevention Act and other related legislation, regulatory standards for wastewater, and water quality monitoring systems for public water bodies.

They also visited the Yokkaichi Pollution and Environmental Museum for Future Awareness to learn about the state of pollution in Yokkaichi at the time and the efforts to improve it. The participants also visited companies in Yokkaichi to deepen their understanding of water environment pollution prevention technologies and the efforts of each company from various perspectives through lectures and site tours.

View

　In China, policies to prevent water pollution are being promoted at the national level, such as the Water Ten Plan, an action plan aimed at gradually improving water quality, with the target of achieving significant progress by 2030.

　It is expected that the trainees will apply the knowledge and experience gained from this training to their daily work and further promote concrete efforts to prevent and improve water pollution in Tianjin.

　ICETT will also continue to support ongoing exchanges between the two cities in the environmental field and contribute to mutual development and environmental conservation.

　We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to this training program.