more from nhk world's kyoko fujita. >> reporter: prime minister shinzo abe kept japan in suspense for months as he debated raising the consumption tax. last october, he decided the hike should happen. >> translator: we will preserve people's trust in our country, and pass on a sustainable social security system to the next generation. >> reporter: japanese first began paying a sales tax in 1989. it started out as 3%. in 1997, then-prime minister hashimoto raised it to 5%. >> translator: we need to work on fiscal consolidation right away, and we will introduce measures to do that. >> reporter: back then, japan's debt stood at about $5.9 trillion. the government needed more money, the population was aging rapidly, and social security costs had started to skyrocket. but the tax increase came at a bad time. the bursting of the asset price level burdened banks with billions of unpaid loans. personal spending slumped, and economic growth slowed. then, the asian financial crisis hit, and things got worse. major japanese security firms and banks went bankrupt. hashimoto faced a crushing defea

nhk world's kyoko fujita reports. >> reporter: garbage, stretching as far as the eye can see. this massive landfill site lies near the coast about 20 kilometers from the center of dalian in northeastern china. for years, this is where the city's dump trucks have disposed of trash and household waste. in china 70% of the garbage is dumped into landfill sites. but there are serious concerns about groundwater pollution and whether china is reaching the limit. >> translator: we cannot see a lot of birds now because of the mountain of garbage. fewer birds are foraging on the mountain. >> reporter: the government has started changing how it disposes of garbage. authorities have decided to introduce more plants around the country. but the manner in which they have proceeded has upset some people. the government has implemented its policy with a heavy hand, not properly notifying residents of its intent. but these days, chinese are more conscious of pollution, and protest movements are springing up across the country. one group in beijing opposes the construction of incineration plant

kyoko fujita, nhk world tokyo. >>> the joint statement by japan and the u.s. stresses the significance of the alliance between the two countries. the statement says they underscore the importance of maintaining maritime order based on international law. apparently referring to china's increased maritime activity. the statement expresses concern over actions that have raised tensions in the east and south china seas. they include beijing's declaration of an air defense zone in the east china sea. the statement goes on to say that the u.s. has deployed its most advanced military assets to japan, and is providing all necessary capabilities to meet its commitment under the bilateral security treaty. it says the commitment extends to all territory under japan's administration, including the senkaku islands. further it says the u.s. opposes any unilateral action that seeks to undermine japan's administration of the islands. japan controls the senkakus. china and taiwan claim them. the japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of japan's territor