Local Economies and the Future of Environmental Sustainability in Japan and Asia: Osaka and Kitakyushu.

The article discusses the initiatives of the city governments in Osaka and Kitakyushu, Japan to improve their local economic conditions and protect the environment. The two cities have made large investment in scientific technologies to be able to reach their goal of economic growth tied with environmental management. The initiatives include the passage of pollution control laws, waste management improvement, recycling and increased public awareness on health effects of pollution. The success of the two cities highlights their role in influencing other countries to prioritize environmental sustainability with economic development strategy.