The Ministry of the Environment (環境省 Kankyō-shō?) is a Cabinet-level ministry of the government of Japan responsible for global environmental conservation, pollution control, and nature conservation. The ministry was formed in 2001 from the sub-cabinet level Environmental Agency established in 1971. The minister is a member of the Cabinet of Japan and is chosen by the Prime Minister, usually from the Diet.[1][2]
In March 2006, the Minister of the Environment, Yuriko Koike, created a furoshiki cloth to promote its use in the modern world.[3]
In August 2011, Japan's Cabinet approved a plan to establish a new energy watchdog under the Environment Ministry,[4] and the Nuclear Regulation Authority was founded on September 19,