Japan’s Eco-Town Program spearheaded in Japan the integration of Industrial Symbiosis and Urban
Symbiosis, seeking to maximise the economic and environmental benefit from close geographic proximity
of industrial and urban areas, through the use of previously discarded commercial, municipal and
industrial waste materials in industrial applications. The program established 26 Eco-Towns around
Japan. Approximately 1.65 billion USD was invested in 61 innovative recycling projects, with an average
government subsidy of 36%. In addition at least 107 other recycling facilities have been constructed
without government subsidy. 14 Eco-Towns primarily contributed to improving industry’s productivity,
whilst 10 Eco-Towns primarily contributed to improving environmental amenity. In 16 Eco-Towns the
private sector was the most important actor supporting local government in the realisation of the Eco-
Town, whilst in 9 Eco-Towns this was civil society. The availability of investment subsidies, the coming
into force of ambitious recycling legislation with quantified, product-specific targets, access to the
significant technological resources of the private sector, and widespread recognition of the urgency to act
on environmental issues, all contributed to the success of the Eco-Town Program