An advisory body to the Environment Ministry submitted a report Friday proposing steps to prevent and clean up soil pollution, and manage health risks posed by land already contaminated.
The document will form the basis for a bill on soil pollution that the ministry hopes to submit to the Diet during the current session. It would be the first law to address pollution of nonagricultural land.
According to the proposal, land being used by factories or companies that handle harmful chemicals must be surveyed when sold or when used for other purposes, such as housing.