Japan plans to set up an Internet-based program to monitor the environment in the Asia-Pacific region in an effort to assist in the early detection of environmental degradation, Environment Agency sources said Thursday.
Asia Watch, to be launched in fiscal 2001, will monitor air and water pollution, acid rain, deforestation and desertification in the region, with special attention paid to China, the sources said.
The program is designed to encourage other Asian states and territories to introduce effective policies to tackle environmental problems while also serving to increase the level of Japan's international cooperation in environmental preservation, they said.