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Yokohama Leads Asia's Circular Economy Charge with New APCC Forum Declaration

Yokohama has declared its circular city model at the Asia Smart City Conference, issuing a formal declaration to promote circular economy principles across the region. The city announced the establishment of the Asia Pacific Circular Cities Forum (APCC Forum), set to convene in Yokohama in 2025 and 2027. Key international organizations, including City Net and ICLEI, have pledged support to mobilize member cities and share policies. Building on its history of overcoming environmental challenges, Yokohama aims to expand its real-world circular city solutions as a global leader throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Key Points: Yokohama Launches Asia Pacific Circular Cities Forum at Smart City Conference

  • Circular economy declaration
  • Asia-Pacific collaboration
  • Waste and recycling innovation
  • Sustainable urban policy
2 min read

Yokohama showcases Circular City Model at Asia smart city conference

Yokohama declares a circular city model, launching the APCC Forum to advance waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable urban policies across Asia and the Pacific.

"We will take on the new name, the Asia Pacific Circular Cities Forum, APCC forum. – Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama"

Yokohama, December 25

Yokohama city's circular city model has various activities - treatment of garbage, waste recycling, disassemble rebuilding architecture, reuse of unused clothing, reduction of food loss, sustainable aviation fuel and so on.

Declaration is issued toward international organization in Asia Smart City Conference.

Toshikazu Yazawa from Yokohama city said, "Yokohama city appeals to Asian cities making effort to create circular economy and circular city and declare it all of participants. Supported by international organization in each city creation of circular city will be undertaken. Its policy will be shared in next and after next year conference".

CEO of City Net, Jae- bok Chang, "Thought the proposed declaration, by Yokohama city, it's, very naturally with, what we are already doing. We are going to mobilize our member cities and our network around, this is important".

Ivonne Bojoh, CEO of Circle Economy, "Circular economy is able to measure the material flow and help the city of Yokohama as much as possible to find the right pinpoints to focus their energy and their time to advance as quickly as possible".

Togo Uchida, Executive Director of ICLEI Japan, said "The Yokohama city proposal came to us by an open letter. It is to listen to the self-government body's opinion and organize it. In Asia we arranged to build it. Today we declare an establishment".

Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama City, "We will take on the new name, the Asia Pacific Circular Cities Forum, APCC forum. I look forward to welcoming all of you to Yokohama next year. And again in 2027".

Yokohama city overcame social and environmental problems in its long history. Solving current problem Yokohama is becoming real circular city and global leader of its activity. It will expand to Asian and Pacific countries.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Impressive initiative. While we talk about Swachh Bharat, Japanese cities are already building circular economies. We need to move beyond just waste collection to actual material flow management and reuse. Hope our smart city missions are paying attention.
A
Aman W
The reuse of unused clothing point hits home. We have so much textile waste in India. Could be a great opportunity for collaboration - our traditional repair and reuse culture (like *jugaad*) combined with their systemic approach. ♻️
S
Sarah B
As someone living in Bangalore, I see the garbage crisis first-hand. It's encouraging to see a major city like Yokohama showing a proven path. The APCC forum is a great idea – Indian cities should actively join and contribute their experiences too.
V
Vikram M
Good model, but a word of caution. We cannot just copy-paste Japanese solutions in India. Our scale, informal waste sector (kabadiwalas), and different consumption patterns need a uniquely Indian circular economy blueprint. The principles are good, execution must be local.
K
Kavya N
Sustainable aviation fuel from city waste? That's next level! Imagine if Delhi or Mumbai could work on such projects. It would address pollution and create green jobs. Hope our urban development ministers are reading this.

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