Fig. I-16 shows trends in the number of persons newly received by public prosecutors'offices for special law offenses related to the environment over the last ten years.
  The number for Wastes Disposal Law violations had been alternating between increases and decreases in the range of around 1,900 to 2,500 since 1990. In 1999, however, it increased by more than 200 from the previous year, with 2,800 persons received. The number for Marine Pollution Prevention Law violations had been decreasing in recent years, but topped 500 persons for the first time in 3 years in 1999. The number for Water Pollution Control Law violations remains in a decreasing trend, falling again in 1999, when a mere 28 persons were received. The number for Natural Parks Law violations was steady between around 10 and 30 since 1993, but only1person was received in 1999.
  Meanwhile, with the Partial Amendment to the Wastes Disposal Law(enforced from December 1998), new offenses, such as violation of the ban on subcontracting have come into being, while statutory penalties for illegal dumping and other offenses have been greatly increased.

Fig. I-16 Trends in numbers of persons newly received by public prosecutors'offices for special law offenses related to the environment (1990-1999)