A Chronology of Environmental Activities
era Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
and the Ajinomoto Group		 Society
1908
  • Discovered the source of umami of kelp, monosodium glutamate.
  • Production of AJI-NO-MOTO from gluten flour by an extraction method.
  
1909
  • Started general sale of AJI-NO-MOTO.
  
1917
  • Founded S. Suzuki and Co., Ltd. (Anniversary of founding: June 17)
  
1932
  • Fishermen's cooperatives in Kawasaki and Haneda mount demonstrations by ship on Tama River, calling for installation of a wastewater treatment unit by S. Suzuki and Co., Ltd.
  • Pollution in Tama River becomes an object of public concern.
1934
  • Started production of AJI-NO-MOTO from soy protein by an extraction method.
  
1935
  • Diversified into Edible Oil Business.
  
1938
  • Started production of caustic soda by electrolysis process with the mercury method (Kawasaki Plant).
  
1946
  • Renamed Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
  • Damage from mineral pollution along River Watarase near Ashio Copper Mine reported.
1954
  • Compound fertilizer ESUSAN approved.
  
1956  
  • Minamata Disease in Kumamoto Prefecture constituted a public problem.
1958  
  • Factory Wastewater Regulations Law and Water Quality Preservation Law enacted.
1960
  • Started production of AJI-NO-MOTO by a fermentation method.
  • "Foul-smelling fish" in Ise Bay drew public attention.
1962
  • Diversified into Processed Foods Business.
  • Smoke Exhaust Regulations Law enacted.
1967  
  • Public Nuisance Countermeasures Law enacted.
1970
  • Environmental Preservation Committee jointly established by Central Research Laboratories and Kawasaki Plant.
  • Fourteen laws concerning pollution enacted.
1971
  • Completed activated sludge processing equipment and exhaust gas desulfurization facility (Kawasaki Plant).
  • Environment Agency established.
1972
  • Diversified into Frozen Foods Business.
  • A ban against production and use of PCB announced by MITI.
  • "The Limits to Growth" released by The Club of Rome.
  • The first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held.
1973
  • Diversified into Coffee Business.
  • Judgment of Minamata Disease Case delivered (in favor of plaintiffs).
1974
  • Completed change in electrolysis process (from mercury method to diaphragm method) and waste incinerator completed (Kawasaki Plant).
  
1975
  • Launched energy conservation project "KEEP."
  • Pollution by hexavalent chromium becomes an object of public concern.
  • London Dumping Convention made effective.
1977
  • Started production of fertilizer from by-product liquid (Kyushu Plant).
  
1979
  • Diversified into Beverage Business.
  • The first Basic Plan for Reduction of Area-wide Total Pollutant Load formulated.
1980
  • Diversified into Dairy Products Business and Pharmaceuticals Business.
  
1982
  • Diversified into Sweetener Business
  • Fined for a breach of Water Pollution Control Law (Kyushu Plant).
  
1985
  • Change of boiler fuel from heavy oil to LNG (Kawasaki Plant).
  • Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer adopted.
1987  
  • Resolutions for "Sustainable Development" approved by the United Nations.
  • The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer adopted.
1989  
  • G7 Summit called for earlier and global adoption of policies based on "Sustainable Development."
  • Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal adopted.
1990
  • Launched Environmental Meeting chaired by Vice President (Headquarters).
  • Revision of Water Pollution Control Law.
  • The basic policy of the third COD Area-wide Total Pollutant Load Control formulated.
  • Global Environment Charter by Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) announced.
1991
  • Introduced Eco-Index System for Containers and Packaging.
  • ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development announced by International Chamber of Commerce adopted.
  • Law for the Promotion of Utilization of Recyclable Resources enacted.
1992  
  • Earth Summit (Brazil) held, Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 adopted.
  • Formulation of "Earth-friendly Voluntary Plan" requested by MITI.
1993
  • Established Environment Department.
  • The Basic Environment Law enacted (Public Nuisance Countermeasures Law abolished).
  • Guideline on Corporate Activities Amiable to the Environment announced the Environment Agency.
1994
  • Submitted Voluntary Environmental Action Plan requested by MITI.
  • Issued Eco-Guidelines for Containers and Packaging.
  • Basic Environment Plan by the Environment Agency resolved.
  • Revision of Environmental Quality Standards for Soil Pollution.
  • U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change came into force.
1996
  • Discontinued production of caustic soda by electrolysis process (Kawasaki Plant).
  • Container and Packaging Recycling Law enacted.
  • Environment Voluntary Action Plan announced by Keidanren.
1997
  • Basic Environmental Policy and Environmental Regulations instituted.
  • Obligation of recycling, part of Container and Packaging Recycling Law into operation.
  • Third Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP3) Kyoto Protocol approved.
1998
  • Acquired ISO 14001 Certification for the first time by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Kyushu Plant).
  • Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming enacted.
  • Household Electric Appliance Recycling Law enacted.
1999
  • All dumping of fermentation by-product liquid into the ocean terminated in Japan.
  • Started Environmental Audit of Ajinomoto Group.
  • PRTR Law enacted.
  • Law Concerning Special Measures against Dioxins enacted.
2000
  • Published "Ajinomoto Group Environmental Report 2000" (Japanese edition).
  • Established Resource and Environment Department, International Production & Technology Center.
  • Acquired ISO 14001 Certification for the first time by a subsidiary in Japan (Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Inc., Chubu Plant).
  • ISO 14001 Certification acquired for the first time by a subsidiary outside Japan (Malaysia Packaging Industry Berhad).
  • Container and Packaging Recycling Law came into force.
  • Basic Law for Establishing the Recycling-based Society enacted.
  • Food Recycling Law enacted.
  • COP6 failed to adopt a resolution and was adjourned.
2001
  • Started Environmental Assessment for Large-size Investments by Headquarters management.
  • Completed ISO 14001 Certification acquisition by all operation sites of Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
  • COP6 reopened. Implementation rules of Kyoto Protocol agreed.
2002
  • Introduced internal company system.
  • Organizational change in "Environmental Committee" in accordance with the new internal company system.
  • Announced data on soil pollution to the public.
  • Kyoto Protocol ratified by Japan and China.
  • Johannesburg Summit (World Summit on Sustainable Development) held.
2003
  • ISO 14001 certification acquired by all organizations of Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
  • Established a voluntary environmental standard, Group Global Minimum.
  • Changed the formal Japanese name of the Environment Department to better reflect its commitment to environment-conscious management, although its English name remains same.
  • Started activities for Ajinomoto Group Zero Emissions.
  • Soil Contamination Control Law enacted.
  • Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law amended such as law prohibiting attempt to illegally dispose of wastes.
  • Countermeasure Against Vehicle Pollution enacted for diesel trucks in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Protection of biodiversity) concluded.
2004
  • Included in "FTSE4Good" Index.
  • Completed compliance with "Group Global Minimum" voluntary environmental standard (burial of waste, quality of wastewater).
  • "Ajinomoto Group CSR Report" incorporating CSR topics published.
  • Held dialogue meetings with a variety of stakeholders, including environmental NPOs.
  • 2005-2010 Ajinomoto Group Zero Emissions Plan established.
  • Amendments to Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law (Strengthening the role of the government, increasing penalties, etc.).
  • Revision of the Keidanren Corporate Behavior Charter.
  • Release of ISO 14001:2004
2005
  • CSR Division established.
  • Selected as an approved company under the Eco-Rail Mark.
  • Kyoto Protocol comes into effect.
  • "Team Minus 6%" and "Cool Biz"

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