activities of japan 2007 - who.int · the issue. it will be important, indeed crucial, to pursue...

Governmental Activities of Japan 12th WHO IAC Meeting

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Governmental Activities of Japan (2006FY)

Chiyoji Ohkubo

[email protected]

M inistry of Econom y, Trade and Industry (M ETI）・ELF-EM F( Electric utility equipm ent only）　①anim al studies　②inform ation dissem ination (w ebsite, sym posia, pam phlets)　③exposure m esurem ent (near utility equipm ent)　④survey of exposure m itigation m easurem ent　⑤research on precautionary approach

M inistry of Internal Affairs and C om m unications (M IC )・RF-EM F

①setting guideline (RF: based on IC NIRP) ②epidem iology study, in-vivo/in-vitro study, hum an volunteer study, dosim etry study ③inform ation dissem ination (w ebsite, sym posia, pam phlets)

M inistry of the Environm ent・ exposure m esurem ent (ELF-EM F / residential)

M inistry of Health, Labour and W elfare・ Anim al study( ELF/RF-EM F )

M inistry of Land, Infrastracture and Transport・ in vitro study (SF/ELF Electric train)

Interm inisterialcom m ittee

Secretariat:M inistry of theEnvironm ent

M inistry of Education, C ulture, Sports, Science andTechnology (M EXT)・ Epidem iological Study (ELF)


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Actions of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Connection with EMF Produced by Power Facilities

1. Research on the effect on human health, of ELF-EMF – Announcement in December 1993

In order to review the effects, on the human health, of electromagnetic fields, an Electromagnetic Field Impact Review Committee (Chairman: Yasuji Sekine, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University) consisting of experts was established, and its report made public.

[Conclusion of the Report] “There is no evidence at present to indicate that power frequency electromagnetic fields produced in residential environments have harmful effects on human health; and the strength of magnetic fields produced in residential environments was substantially lower than the views represented by the WHO Environmental Health Criteria and the guidelines of similar organizations. It was therefore felt that there is little need at present to take urgent steps to regulate or standardize power frequency magnetic fields based on their effect on human health. However it is important to scientifically clarify the effects of power frequency magnetic fields on human health in order to provide accurate information based on a correct understanding of the issue. It will be important, indeed crucial, to pursue the following activities in order to accumulate further scientific knowledge on this subject.”

2. Animal studies (1993FY~)

Studies on animals have been ongoing since FY1993. At present, studies to see if magnetic fields would cause tumors or leukemia are being conducted by the Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry.

3. Provision of EMF information (1998FY~)

In order to provide the public with electromagnetic field information, research has been conducted on trends in studies carried out, both in Japan and abroad, concerning the effects of electromagnetic fields on health. These include the preparation of pamphlets, the holding of symposia (22such symposia have been held in the past), and the dissemination of information via home pages. [The above has been carried out by the Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories].

4. Other research/studies Research on magnetic field measurement and technologies to reduce magnetic field exposure, as well as research on precautionary approaches, is currently under way.[ Research on precautionary approach is conducted by the Nomura Research Institute Ltd.] [2004～2006FY]


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Research on precautionary approaches - Studies of the various reviews aimed at looking into precautionary approaches,

both in Japan and abroad, to deal with EMF risks - Conducted by the Nomura Research Institute Ltd. - Reviewing committee:

Chairman : Dr. Chiyoji Ohkubo (WHO; IAC member, WHO International EMF Project)

member: Dr. Michinori Kabuto (National Institute for Environmental Studies) Professor Masao Taki (Tokyo Metropolitan University; ICNIRP) Professor Junji Miyakoshi (Hirosaki University) Dr. Tsukasa Shigemitsu (Central Research Institute of Electric Power

Industry) 5. Japan’s regulations concerning power frequency EMF

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is responsible for electric power facilities. Regulation of 3 kV/m electric field strength beneath high voltage power transmission lines was enacted in 1976 as the Ministerial Ordinance of Standards for Electrical equipment. This clause is not intended to protect human health but to avoid electric shock, which might be caused by electric fields. No guidelines on ELF magnetic fields, however, have been recommended by any government organizations.


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Actions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to protect the human body from radio-wave radiation Ⅰ．Expansion of Radio Wave Use and Safety

Ⅱ．Stipulation of Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines

Radio radiation source Medical equipment

Appropriate measures regarding the safe use of radio waves are needed.

Effect on medical equipmentEffect on human body

With the penetration and development of radio wave use, there have been increasing concerns over the effects of radio waves on the human body or medical equipment.

Human body

Human body

Sufficient safety coefficient (approx. 50 times)

Guidelines on the strength of radio waves with no adverse effect on the human body.

Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines(enacted in 1990, revised in 1997)

Guidelines on the strength of radio waves with no adverse effect on the human body.

Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines(enacted in 1990, revised in 1997)

Strength of radio waves causing these effects (threshold level)

2 Thermal effectRadio energy absorbed by the human body generates heat, which increases the temperature of the whole body or parts of the body (about 100kHz or more).

1 Stimulated effectCaused mainly by the induced current inside the human body generated by radio waves (about 100kHz or less).

Research accumulated over the last 50 years or so


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* Example from Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines: If the frequency (f, MHz) is between 300MHz to 1.5GHz, the rms electric field strength is 1.585f1/2 [V/m], the rms magnetic field strength is f1/2/237.8 [A/m] and the power flux density is f/1500 [mW/cm2].

* Japan’s Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines are on a par with the international guidelines.

Ⅲ．Overview of Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines

Radio wave strength calculated assuming that the whole body is evenly exposed to radio waves and the whole body absorption is highest.

Source: Study report on EM environment in the vicinity of radio facilities by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (July 1987). For mobile phones, the electrical field strength at the point 200 meters away from a 40- meter-high antenna was determined by basic calculation (Power output from base station: 900MHz and 1.5GHz 32W, 2.1GHz 60W). In the basic calculation, large enough values were used.

Example of power flux density of the radiation on the ground, radiated from the antenna of the base station of digital mobile phones.

Example of general base station (antenna input power 32W)The distance used in calculation is not a horizontal distance from the base station, but the shortest distance from the antenna.

* General calculation example in case that the point of 200 meters is the standard direction.

Distance from the antenna (m)

Power flux density (mW/ cm2)

(on the ground)

Times of limit value

(on the ground) (on the ground) (on the ground)

Approx. 1/2000Approx. 1/37 Approx. 1/10000 Approx. 1/1000 Approx. 1/60000

Example of general base station (antenna input power 32W)The distance used in calculation is not a horizontal distance from the base station, but the shortest distance from the antenna.

* General calculation example in case that the point of 200 meters is the standard direction.

Distance from the antenna (m)

Power flux density (mW/ cm2)

(on the ground)

Times of limit value

(on the ground) (on the ground) (on the ground)

Approx. 1/2000Approx. 1/37 Approx. 1/10000 Approx. 1/1000 Approx. 1/60000

EMF Strength GuidelinesEMF Strength Guidelines

0.2f/1500

1

72.82.18f-12.18f-10.0728

f1/2/237.80.163

275275

824f-127.5

1.585f1/2

61.4

10kHz - 30kHz30kHz - 3MHz3MHz - 30MHz

30MHz - 300MHz300MHz - 1.5GHz1.5GHz - 300GHz

Power flux DensityS(mW/cm2)

Magnetic field strengthH(A/m)

Electrical field strengthE（V/m)

Frequencyf

0.2f/1500

1

72.82.18f-12.18f-10.0728

f1/2/237.80.163

275275

824f-127.5

1.585f1/2

61.4

10kHz - 30kHz30kHz - 3MHz3MHz - 30MHz

30MHz - 300MHz300MHz - 1.5GHz1.5GHz - 300GHz

Power flux DensityS(mW/cm2)

Magnetic field strengthH(A/m)

Electrical field strengthE（V/m)

Frequencyf

* f means frequency expressed in unit of MHz. Guideline for radio wave strength under the general condition (Average time: 6 minutes)

Reference: Example of the strength of radio waves (electrical field) radiated from radio station antenna. Electrical field strength (V/m)

Limit value in the Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines (general condition)

Shortwave broadcast FM/Television Mobile phoneFrequency (Hz)


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The antenna of mobile base stations radiates radio waves toward a specific direction (in this example, the point 200 meters ahead from the antenna), with very little radiation of radio waves directly below. Inside the building, the radio waves will be absorbed and reflected by the walls and roofs, causing the radio wave strength to become far below the limit value.

Ⅳ．Enactment of Radio-Radiation Protection Guidelines Ⅴ．Promotion of the investigation on the effect of radio waves on the

human body

In order to scientifically clarify the effects of radio waves on the human body, research on biological safety evaluation is being promoted.

“Committee to promote research on the possible biological effects of electromagnetic fields”, comprised of medical and engineering researchers (Chairman: Shogo Ueno, Professor of the University of Kyushu) met fiscal year 1997 to implement studies on biological safety evaluation using animal experiments. This committee had made the finding report for ten years (FY1997-2006) on 27th Apr. 2007.

1. Safety facilities against radio waves exposure1. Safety facilities against radio waves exposure

Obligation to install safety facilities to prevent the general public from entering sites where radio waves strength exceeds the limit values. (October 1999)

2. Tolerance of energy absorbed into the human head (SAR: Specific Absorption Rate)2. Tolerance of energy absorbed into the human head (SAR: Specific Absorption Rate)

SAR distribution at the cross-section of the head (as seen from above)

900MHz 1.5GHz

SAR value High Low

Tolerance of Specific Absorption Rate* (SAR) of radio wave energy absorbed into human head (2W/kg), defined as compulsory standard. (June 2002)

* SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) means the amount of energy absorbed into the human body tissue of 10g per average six minutes due to EMF exposure.

1. Committee to promote research on the possible biological effects of electromagnetic fields


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◎ Promotion of studies (10 cases)

-- Epidemiology investigation, Volunteer research. -- Animal experiments to investigate. -- Cell experiments to investigate. -- Dosimetry (assessment of exposure) etc.

◎ International collaborations -- Collaboration with international organizations such as the World Health

Organization (WHO). -- Collaboration and cooperation with other countries (US, Europe, Korea, etc.)

through expert meetings.

2. Major activities

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