Mrs. A writes: "Our family recently moved and our real estate agency knew that we suffer from allergies. We found a place in a quiet neighborhood and now find out that a local business burns its garbage, primarily between 6 and 10 a.m., but also at other times during the day. It seems like no time is safe to open the windows.

"Needless to say, the smell is terrible, and general 'backyard' burning is said to generate dioxins, putting the health of our family and everyone else in our neighborhood at risk. I realize that garbage disposal is a problem in Tokyo, but burning garbage in residential areas poses such health hazards and inconvenience — how can local governments still allow it? What can we do?"

You could sue the company or the local government that runs the garbage incineration plant to force them to stop running the facility, or to win compensation for your pain and suffering. However, this could cost you a great deal of time and money. Your claim would have to be backed up by solid evidence and the case could take years to work its way toward a judgement, depending on its complexity.