There is no cure, no medicine, no surgery that can reverse the damage done. You probably won't die of it, but the unknowing victims number in their millions and are usually only diagnosed after it is much too late. This totally preventable scourge is noise pollution and Japan is arguably one the world's most egregious offenders.

Since the 1997 Kyoto protocol on climate change, public awareness in Japan of the issues regarding environmental pollution has increased to the point where progress is being made on many fronts.

Victims of industrial air pollution are winning lawsuits. Leaky nuclear power plants are under review. Maverick politicians are questioning the need for unnecessary public works projects. The list goes on.