Japan Legislation

There are no known laws, pending or otherwise, in Japan calling for reduction or elimination of lead in electronics.

Japanese Ministry of Industry and Trade Institute (MITI)

The Japanese Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTTI) proposed in May 1998 take-back (recycling) legislation. The Japanese EPA and government "suggest" reduced use of lead as part of increased recycling. MITI calls for the use of lead to be reduced to half by 2000 and two-thirds by 2005.

Home Electronics Recycling Law

The Japanese Home Electronics Recycling Law, which was revised in 1998, calls for OEMs in Japan to be prepared to collect and recycle air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions and washing machines by April 2001.

Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources

This law, originally enacted in 1991 to promote recycling, was revised in 2001 to address personal computers used by businesses. Since October 2003, he law has required the recycling of personal computers discarded by both households and businesses.  On November 28, 2005 the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry notified the World Trade Organization Technical Barrier to Trade committee of a proposed amendment to this law that would add disclosure of six chemical substances (mercury, cadmium, lead, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE) across seven categories of electrical and electronic equipment: Personal computers (including their display units of CRT type or LCD type), Unit-type air conditioners (excluding package-type air conditioners), Television sets, Microwave ovens, Clothes driers, Electric refrigerators, Electric washing machines.