Recent rapid economic growth in Asian emerging nations is bringing higher living standards to many people. However, this economic growth is usually accompanied by severe environmental degradation. Japan has improved its resource productivity through, among other initiatives, reduce, reuse and recycle (3R) programmes, eco-town promotion and green product and service design systems. In order to pursue the path toward a sustainable society, governments have to change or update their policies and engineering practices and enhance cooperative and comprehensive initiatives on a regional scale. This paper addresses both the national and regional initiatives to promote the transition toward a sustainable Asia. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.