Kobe, One of Japan’s (and the World’s) Cleanest Cities

Here is a closer look at the city of Kobe, the capital of Hyōgo Prefecture and home of Arima Onsen and Kobe Beef

Kobe: World’s 5th cleanest city

Each year, Mercer, a global consulting firm releases the survey results for their Quality of Living Survey. This covers 221 cities across the globe, with New York City as the basis for the rankings. Included in the survey is a list of the world’s cleanest cities, with eco-ranking as to water drinkability and availability, sewage system, waste removal, traffic congestion and air pollution. For 2012, Kobe, Japan ranks fifth in the world for the cleanest cities.

 

Japan is a country that has incredibly been self-sufficient through many years, and its people are renowned for being health conscious. It is no wonder that Japan consistently ranks in world surveys. Kobe, a major Japanese port city has been included in the survey for several years, jumping up the ranking ladder with the developments and improvements the prefecture institute to make the city an eco-friendly and a clean and green place to live.

Trash collection

The city of Kobe has different trash collection days for household waste, non-combustible waste and recyclables, which must be placed only in designated trash bags. Use of other bags including plastic shopping bags will result in non-collection of trash. Milk containers and food trays made of Styrofoam must be first washed before inclusion in trash bags. Liquor and beer bottles should be returned to the stores and spray cans should be fully used up and punctured to release the gas before adding them to the non-combustible garbage. Large and metal garbage such as household furniture and appliances are collected for a fee upon request.

Waste management

The city had planned its waste management system since its establishment in 1896 and by 1900 had already created its sewage treatment law. In the succeeding years the city built several incinerators and systematic and “green” landfills, using modern waste management, disposal and recycling techniques that do not contribute to water and air pollution. By 1971 Kobe had been established as a Human Environmental Quality City and created the Environmental Bureau for make the city’s vision come true. Citywide information and instruction campaign, including teaching schoolchildren the value of correct waste management contributed to the city’s success.

Tap water safety

Kobe is one of the major cities in Japan that implements the WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. While tap water in Japan is safe to drink, in some areas, the chlorination of drinking water is higher, thus affecting the taste of drinking water. The country has done extensive research on Water Safety Plan in municipalities in Japan (Kobe, Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka), developed guidelines for its implementation and is now the coordinator of an NGO institution, the Operation and Maintenance Network Group under WHO. It is aimed at improving the operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities and water supply through knowledge exchange in developing countries.

Transportation, Roads, Railways, Airport System in Kobe

 

The transportation system in Kobe is one of the finest in Japan, with all types of public vehicles available in the city. Traveling around the port city and nearby cities is fairly easy. Transport system includes high speed trains and subways, buses, taxis and ferries. The city is also served by domestic and international airports. It has several expressways linking it to key cities and is the location of the longest suspension bridge in the world. It has aerial lifts and funiculars to reach the higher areas of the city, effectively covering all mobility requirements.