Key Facts
• In 2025, waste from across Japan was found in Hiroshima’s landfill areas.
• Hiroshima has the largest landfill capacity in Japan, with 8.6 million cubic meters.
• The landfill in Asaminami Ward faced issues with waste scattering in April 2025.
• Stable landfills do not use water-blocking sheets, limiting waste to non-toxic, stable materials.
• Waste from 23 prefectures, including Ibaraki and Fukuoka, was brought to Hiroshima in 2023.
• Hiroshima has 55 stable landfill sites, ranking third in Japan after Hokkaido and Yamaguchi.
• Hokkaido has 153 landfill sites but less remaining capacity than Hiroshima.
• Some prefectures, like Kagawa and Wakayama, restrict external waste under local regulations.
• The Ministry of the Environment encourages revising such restrictions for smoother waste management.
• Concerns arise over pollution and disaster risks at landfills near water sources and red zones.
• Local groups demand stricter oversight and effective measures to address environmental risks.
Summary
Hiroshima Prefecture has become a focal point for waste disposal in Japan, with the largest remaining landfill capacity of 8.6 million cubic meters, accounting for 13% of the national total. Despite having fewer landfill sites than Hokkaido, Hiroshima’s capacity surpasses all other prefectures. Waste from 23 prefectures, including distant areas like Ibaraki and Fukuoka, is transported to Hiroshima, raising environmental concerns. Issues such as waste scattering and pollution near water sources have been reported, prompting local groups to demand stricter oversight. While some prefectures restrict external waste, the Ministry of the Environment advocates for revising such policies to ensure efficient waste management. The situation highlights the need for balancing national waste disposal needs with local environmental protection.
