Japan Press Weekly

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2010 February 24 - March 2 [ENVIRONMENT]

Government urged to cut greenhouse gas emissions without condition

The Hatoyama Cabinet has pledged that Japan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from the 1990 level as long as all major countries will agree on a shared target.

Yoshii introduced an international organization’s data which compares the amount of a nation’s CO2 emission per capita, showing that the U.S. emits 15.9 times more and Japan emits 8.1 times more than India. He said that the government needs to stick to the principle of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which requires member states to have a “common but differentiated responsibility.”

He claimed that by making a promise to cut gas emission by 25 percent, Japan can be in a position to urge the U.S, the major emitter, as well as other nations to reduce their emissions.

Yoshii also pointed out that about 30 percent of China’s industrial production in 2008 was made by foreign firms. In other words, China and other Asian countries have taken on Japan and U.S. CO2 emissions to some extent.

“Claiming to be working in Japan’s national interest and to maintain international competitiveness, Japanese major firms have regarded China as the ‘world’s factory’ and greatly expanded their businesses into China. After having them emitting CO2 there, it is unreasonable for the government to refuse to carry out a 25 percent cut emission on the grounds that China does not agree to establishing a similar target,” said Yoshii.

Environment Minister Ozawa Sakihito said, “We must consider the balance between global interest and national interest.”
- Akahata, February 24, 2010