Abstract
Japan Environmental Storage & Safety Corporation (JESCO) is a special company wholly owned by the government. JESCO has been treating high-concentration PCB waste nationwide using chemical treatment methods at five regional facilities constructed in Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, the Tokyo Metropolitan area, Osaka City in Osaka Prefecture, and Muroran City in Hokkaido Prefecture. This is all being done in cooperation with local governments. In light of the PCB Special Measures Law being revised in 2016, the framework for finishing treatment by the deadline was changed, JESCO is addressing new challenges, such as strengthening environmental and safety management strategies, investigating hidden PCBs, planning long-term treatment of PCB waste, and dismantling and clearance of PCB waste treatment facilities. Although the highest priority is given to safety, completion of PCB treatment must be completed without any further delay.
