[Report] A Survey of Advanced Efforts to Contribute to the Transition to a Circular Economy, Commissioned by Mie Prefecture

　In FY2025, the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) was commissioned by Mie Prefecture to conduct a survey on the contents and effects of advanced cases in Japan, and to organize issues that need to be addressed if Mie Prefecture is to make the transition to a circular economy and expand resource recycling efforts in the prefecture. The report also summarizes the issues that need to be addressed if Mie Prefecture is to adopt the concept.

Background and Objectives

In August 2024, the Government of Japan formulated The Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society as a national strategy and has identified the promotion of "transition to a circular economy" as a key to the formation of a recycling-oriented society.

In March 2021, Mie Prefecture formulated the "Mie Prefecture Plan for Promoting the Formation of a Sound Material-Cycle Society" and has been promoting efforts to achieve both economic development through the promotion of recycling-related industries and solutions to social issues such as the plastic waste problem and food loss reduction. However, with an eye on the "transition to a circular economy," it is necessary to promote initiatives to further utilize recyclable resources and to create added value through services, etc. while effectively utilizing stock.

　In order to expand local efforts to recycle resources with a view to shifting to a circular economy, ICETT, commissioned by Mie Prefecture, conducted a desktop survey and interview survey on the contents and effects of advanced cases nationwide, extracted and analyzed factors of success and challenges, and summarized issues to be addressed in the development of such efforts in the Prefecture.

Duties

　The following has been investigated, reviewed, summarized, and reported.

[Survey of Advanced Case Studies]
　More than forty advanced cases of the circular economy were identified and studied through a desk-top survey, which have been led by the private sector in Japan.

[Interview Survey]
　Ten of the forty cases were selected based on their high potential for deployment in Mie Prefecture. These cases were then examined in detail through interviews.

[Issue Arrangement]
　Based on the results of the desktop survey and interviews, the potential for deployment in Mie Prefecture, as well as the issues involved, were summarized, followed by discussions on proposed support measures by Mie Prefecture.