Diamond Grace crude oil spillage
On July 2, 1997, the Panama-registered 147,000 ton tanker Diamond Grace hit a shallow seabed near Nakanosu, Tokyo Bay, and spilled crude oil. At the time of the accident, the Diamond Grace was carrying 300,000 kiloliters of crude oil, about 1,550 kiloliters of which leaked into the sea. The incident was attributed to an operating error. Since only a small amount of crude oil was spilled, and thanks to good weather, the oil collection operation went relatively smoothly, preventing the mishap from becoming a major disaster like the Nakhodka spill. Nevertheless, health problems have been reported, apparently caused by crude oil vaporized at high temperatures.
Noise pollution
Noise generated by automobiles, railways, airplanes, and vessels can cause problems for area residents. Noise pollution from automobiles, railways, and airplanes has intensified in recent years. The government has implemented countermeasures for automobile noise, based on recommendations by the Central Council for Environmental Pollution Control in November 1992 and the Central Environment Council in February 1995. Measures concerning railways have been introduced in line with Shinkansen bullet train noise control guidelines, the Environment Agency guidelines for railway noise, and measures concerning airplanes have also been introduced in line with environmental standards for airplane noise. Despite these preventive measures, they are still insufficient and numerous noise disputes are finding their way to court.