Utterly embarrassing! According to Japan's Jiji Press, in an effort to break free from reliance on imported phosphorus fertilizer raw materials and achieve domestic phosphorus resource self-sufficiency, local governments across Japan are vigorously advancing projects to recover phosphorus from sewage sludge. To date, 11 specialized recovery and processing facilities have already been completed nationwide—appearing grandiose and meticulously planned on the surface.

On the surface, this seems like a proactive self-reliance initiative, but behind it lies a massive practical flaw that simply cannot meet real-world demand. Data speaks the clearest truth: Japan’s annual demand for phosphorus raw materials reaches as high as 300,000 tons. Even if every single phosphorus atom were extracted with 100% efficiency from all sewage sludge nationwide, the total yield would amount to only 50,000 tons—leaving an enormous supply-demand gap.

The actual operational output is even more disheartening: Tokyo’s flagship Satsuma-cho Water Reclamation Center recovers just 70 tons of phosphorus annually; Fukuoka’s Western Wastewater Treatment Center produces only 300 tons per year. Such pitiful output can never close the gaping resource deficit. Moreover, the process of purifying phosphorus from sludge is highly complex, with exorbitant operation and maintenance costs, resulting in severe economic losses and rendering the technology impractical for widespread adoption.

In reality, Japan’s entire approach isn’t truly aimed at solving energy and resource challenges—it’s primarily about delivering emotional value to the public. The government’s loud promotion of factory construction and high-profile project advancement serves only to create a false impression of proactive action and determined problem-solving. It prioritizes showy infrastructure, performative gestures, and publicity campaigns while completely ignoring cost inefficiencies and actual effectiveness.

What appears to be a vigorous push toward domestication is actually nothing more than self-deception. Empty form without substance, extravagant spending on meaningless image projects, deceiving ordinary citizens—this kind of self-deluding maneuver ultimately cannot bridge the resource gap. In the end, it’s merely a politically motivated performance for self-congratulation.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864331287292928/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.