The Kyoto-based Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation chose the kanji "nise," meaning fake or false, as 2007 "kanji of the year" to symbolize the rampant sham practices of politicians, food-makers and pension planners. Unfortunately the kanji still appears valid this year. It has been found that 17 firms belonging to the Japan Paper Association exaggerated the component ratios of waste paper in their recycled paper. They represent about 70 percent of the 24 makers of recycled paper that belong to the association.

Under the "green procurement law" that went into effect in 2001, the government must purchase eco-friendly materials and equipment, For example, the required component ratio of waste paper is 100 percent for copy paper and 70 percent for printing paper. The association explained that the papermakers had difficulty in maintaining the quality of recycled paper because it was difficult to get quality waste paper. It also said that they continued to accept orders from customers without informing them of the true component ratios of waste paper in order to maintain sales.

In an attempt to justify their falsification of the component ratios, the association argued that manufacturing recycled paper with 100 percent waste-paper content can cause a higher emission of carbon dioxide than otherwise because fossil fuels are used in bleaching and other processes.