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1.Introduction High rates of economic growth began in Japan in the mid 1950s, and in Korea (Republic of Korea) in the mid 1960s. Since the late 1980s, China (People’s Republic of China) has experienced an unprecedented rapid economic growth. Economic activities in the East Asian region have had an immense influence on global environmental issues, due to such rapid consecutive economic growth in these countries. Domestic environmental issues in these three countries also have been mutually related. Quite recently, the literature on the study of comparative environmental policy in East Asian region has grown rapidly (see Kojima and Fujisaki,1993; Korea Institute for International Economic Policy,1993; O’Connor,1994; Imura and Katsuhara,1995; Kato,1996 etc.). Authors also have initiated this and published a part of research outcomes (see Lee J, Harashima, Lee D, and Morita,1995; Harashima,1995; Harashima and Morita,1995; Harashima,1996). Based on these previous research outcomes and additional new information and data, this paper makes a comparative analysis of the environmental policy in the three East Asian countries of Japan, Korea and China. Vogel, reviewing the comparative environmental policy literature of the 1970s-1980s, writes: The comparative environmental policy literature’s most notable feature is its exclusive reliance on case-study material. Typically, policies in two or more countries are examined, their similarities and differences are enumerated and an explanation of the observed differences is postulated. None of the studies here incorporated statistical analysis, correlative methods, or time-series data.…[t]he research examined is virtually devoid of quantitative data. Interviews, document interpretation, and prior research form the foundation for the literature in this field. Nor does this appear to be a transitory phenomenon; there is no evidence that research is becoming more quantitative. Analysis in this field also trends to be ahistorical. In spite of the existence of a rich historical literature on the evolution of environmental policies in several countries, this material has been ignored by scholars in the field.…Moreover, when compared to other area of comparative public policy research, the material in this area trends to be highly descriptive (Vogel,1987, pp.102-103). In this paper, however, the development processes of environmental policy in East Asian countries are compared in relation to their economic growth using quantitative economic indicators. Since the late 1980s, the ultimate goal of environmental policy has been “sustainable 2
development” (World Commission on Environment and Development,1987,pp.43-46). Sustainable development became even more relevant with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992. Pearce et al. write, “Fundamental to an understanding of sustainable development is the fact that the economy is not separate from the environment in which we live (Pearce, Markandya, and Barbier,1989,p.4).” In short, the pivot of sustainable development is an integrated economy and environment. Therefore, it is necessary to understand environmental policy in relation to economic growth in order to achieve sustainable development. 2.Analytical Framework The analytical framework used here is shown in Figure 1. This paper consists of the following four parts. The first component is national experience. This part investigates environmental policy development histories and the respective socio-political background of each country, divided into four policy development stages (Initial Period, Progressive Period, Consolidation Period, and Focus-shift Period). The second part, based on the results of the above national experiences, is a comparative analysis on environmental policy development. The environmental policy of each country is compared at each policy development stage. Third is an examination of the relationship between economic growth and environmental policy development using key economic indicators, such as the rate of economic growth, GDP per capita, energy consumption per capita, energy intensity of GDP, and structural change. In conclusion, the fourth part is a summary of similarities and differences shown in the above analysis. Additionally, we would like to consider the applicability of these findings to other East Asian countries’ experiences. 3. National Experience 3-1 Ini tial period The term of “Initial Period” is used here to mean the period that the government becomes aware of local environmental issues, and initiates the policy measures to conserve local environment. 3
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Page 26 and 27: Environmental Affairs 2(2): 103-108
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