Japan compiles measures to reduce pollen levels

TOKYO, Oct 12 (NHK) - Japan's government has compiled a set of measures to reduce the pressing problem of hay fever. It aims to cut pollen dispersal in half over 30 years by reducing cedar forests.

Pollen allergies have become a "social health problem" in Japan, a country that is about 70 percent forested.

The plan is to clear about 20 percent of artificially planted cedar trees over the next ten years.

Ministers agreed that such trees will be cut down or replaced with species that produce less pollen. They will designate areas where this will be done by next March.

The government plans to provide more detailed data of cedar forests so that accurate pollen dispersal levels can be predicted.

It will also be using supercomputer and AI technology to provide weather information that focuses on pollen distribution.

The government wants to include a related budget for these measures in its economic package to be compiled by the end of this month.

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