NGOs criticize Japanese government for its weak efforts to cut gas emissions

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

NGOs criticize Japanese government for its weak efforts to cut gas emissions

While G8 leaders met for their annual summit at Lake Toya in Hokkaido, Japanese citizens’ and environmental groups held a 2008 People’s Summit in Hokkaido (Alternative Summit) in Sapporo City and demanded that the Japanese government set a mid-term goal for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

On July 7, the Alternative Summit, sponsored jointly by the 2008 Japan G8 Summit NGO Forum (NGO Forum) and the Hokkaido People's Forum on G8 Summit (Hokkaido People's Forum), held discussions in workshops on various issues, including the environment, poverty, peace, and human rights.

The KIKO (climate) Network and the 2008 Japan G8 Summit NGO Forum jointly held a workshop under the theme “Can G8 Summit face up to climate change?”

Japan’s Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo, who published the “Fukuda Vision” in June in preparation for the Summit, drew criticism from representatives of some organizing committees and participants:

Alden Meyer, director of Strategy & Policy of the Union of Concerned Scientists (U.S.), said that developing countries are apprehensive about Prime Minister Fukuda’s attitude;

Hirata Kimiko of the Kiko Network, an NGO studying global warming issues, stated that the Japanese government must stop leaving the CO2 reduction effort to the corporations and take steps to shift to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power;

Suzuki Toru, secretary general of the Hokkaido Green Fund, an NPO engaging in wind power generation using money contributed by residents, criticized Fukuda’s policy for discouraging investment in the promotion of renewable energy.

- Akahata, July 8, 2008