At Nippon Steel's steelworks in Chiba Prefecture, despite the fact that poisonous substances exceeding the standard were detected, the Ministry of the Environment did not report to the prefecture. It is a policy to issue a notice requesting thorough guidance.
This problem was reported to the prefectural government over the past three years at the "Nippon Steel East Japan Works Kimitsu District" in Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture, where cyanide, a poisonous substance exceeding the standard, was frequently detected from the drain outlet. It was made clear that they did not.
Regarding this issue, Minister of the Environment Nishimura said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting on the 26th, "It is a matter that threatens the safety of public water areas, and it is very regrettable. Under the guidance of the prefecture, business operators are requested to investigate the cause and recur. I urge you to do everything in your power to prevent it."
The Ministry of the Environment plans to issue a notice requesting thorough guidance to prefectures and other bodies so that business operators must measure wastewater as stipulated by law and keep records.