Some of the regulations make sense, like PFAS (correlated with chip manufacturing because HF is needed to etch Silicon and so fluoro-organics make great complements) And they seem to be sincere about it.

https://www.americanchemistry.com/chemistry-in-america/chemi...

As for the Japanese professional classes, environmental issues are always an afterthought. Don't let the "harmonious" design philosophy of the fab fool you..that's tatemae. (Remember Jobs and pancreatic cancer? There's the price to pay for the shiny toys)

I wont be eating from Hokkaido if this pans out (their milk is overrated imho, but the seafood is top)

Maybe I'll get to eat more Austrian millet in the near future..

Imagine a government that considers its people more than tools for the wealthy to use and discard as they see fit! So many regulations meant to protect the plebes!

Universal healthcare? Vacation time you can actually use? Data privacy laws?

What a bunch of losers! Next you’ll tell me they actually give parents time off to raise their kids instead of dumping them into daycare after a month of drudgery and try to call it bonding !

Yeah. Who wants to be a military superpower or a manufacturing superpower, when they could be a regulatory superpower.