JAPAN READY TO HELP IN ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

SIBU (Malaysia), Dec 3 (Bernama) -- Japan, with its wealth of experience, is
ready to help developing Asian nations in solid waste management and
environmental pollution control.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) senior representative in
Malaysia, Katsuo Matsumoto, said because of rapid economic growth, population
increase and urbanisation, such related problems had become serious.

He said this at the opening of a three-day seminar on the 'Takakura Home
Method of Composting' for officers from the state's 26 local authorities and
non-governmental organisations in this town in East Malaysia state of Sarawak
Thursday.

Sibu Municipal Council chairman Tiong Thai King officiated the ceremony.

Matsumoto said poor waste management and environmental pollution were
threatening not only domestic environment but the regional and the world at
large, through the global warming.

On the Takakura, Matsumoto said it was an example of a most practical,
affordable and fast Japanese method of solid waste management which had been
introduced and practised in the Philipines, Thailand, China, Indonesia and
Nepal, among other countries.
-- BERNAMA