ABSTRACT
Environmental management systems (EMS) standards emerged as a completely new framework for the Japanese business community. When considering the Japanese response to EMS standardisation, three factors should be considered such as the geographical factor, the cultural factor and the political factor. In general, industries with a strong focus on exports show greater interest in EMS standards. The chapter includes the experiences of the major industries such as electronics, machinery and office equipment, chemical, steel, automobile industry, pharmaceutical, oil refining, construction and retail. The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry formed a working group on environmental auditing in April 1994 and issued a guide in October 1994 mainly for small and medium-sized enterprises on implementing EMSs. The Japanese Government has not announced any intention to make certification to any EMS standard mandatory for Japanese companies. Some local governments have local regulations or agreements that require companies to implement EMSs, although certification is not required.
