Japan's Environment Ministry Defines Rules for Its Official X and Facebook Accounts

Japan's Ministry of the Environment has published an operating policy for its official accounts on X (Twitter) and Facebook, setting out how the accounts will be run and what it expects from people who interact with them.

The policy describes the accounts as tools for information dissemination. The ministry will publish press releases and other material from its website but, in principle, will not reply to users. Opinions and inquiries should instead be sent through the ministry's MOE mail web form.

There is one explicit exception: in emergencies of the kind that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, the ministry says it may follow and retweet relevant information posted by government agencies, local authorities and foreign governments. The policy also states that the ministry's public relations office accepts no responsibility for replies, retweets or comments made by users.

The document covers copyright and usage. By posting a reply or comment, a user grants the ministry a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive right to use that content and agrees not to assert copyright over it. The ministry's own posts, in turn, may not be republished without permission, except for private use or citation permitted under Japanese copyright law; any citation must clearly state the source. Posting certain material — content that breaks the law, advertising or sales pitches, personal information disclosed without consent, or content unrelated to the ministry's postings — is prohibited.

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Reading the Policy: One-Way Communication and Content Rights

How the Ministry Says It Will Use the Accounts

The policy codifies what the ministry already practices: its accounts are for pushing out press releases and announcements, not for conversation. Because the ministry says it will not generally reply, questions and opinions are directed to the MOE mail web form. The exception is spelled out with a reference to the March 2011 earthquake — in acute situations, staff may follow and retweet related information from national and local governments and foreign agencies. That positions the accounts as official crisis-communication channels that can shift away from a strictly one-way format when normal response procedures are suspended.

What the Copyright Clause Means for Users

The copyright arrangements are the practical detail most followers will miss. By posting a reply or comment, a user grants the ministry a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use the material and agrees not to enforce copyright against it. The same document, however, restricts reuse of the ministry's own posts: republication beyond private use or citation requires permission, and any citation must identify the source. In effect, the ministry gains broad latitude over user comments while retaining tight control over its own content. Anyone posting material they consider sensitive should weigh that clause before commenting.

Practical Guidance for Users and Journalists Following the Ministry

For individuals, journalists and organizations that follow Japan's environment ministry online, the policy has three practical implications:

  • Do not expect answers in X or Facebook replies — the ministry says it will not respond in principle; use the MOE mail web form for questions.
  • Before commenting, remember that posting grants the ministry a worldwide, royalty-free licence to reuse the content; avoid including personal or confidential details.
  • If you quote or repost ministry content, attribute the source — and note that reuse beyond private use or formal citation requires the ministry's permission under Japanese copyright law.