Japan Press Weekly

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2019 July 10 - 16 [POLITICS]

Abe plays the yes-man to Trump at G20 summit in regard to GHG emission cuts

The leaders of the G20, except for the United States, in the Osaka declaration (Jun. 29) reaffirmed their commitment to a full implementation of the Paris Agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, in regard to the United States which withdrew from the Paris accord, the declaration devotes four times more lines than the G20 declaration in 2018 to explain "the U.S.'s balanced approach" to environment. On top of that, the Osaka declaration even describes the U.S. as "a world leader in reducing emissions".

Prime Minister Abe on July 4 in his campaign speech for the Upper House election said that he had personally negotiated with U.S. President Trump as environment was the most controversial part in compiling a declaration. Abe said, "Therefore, I asked Mr. Trump to tell me what would be acceptable," and, "Then, the declaration was able to be issued in the end."

That is to say, the draft text shown by President Trump to PM Abe was inserted without change in the declaration. Abe prided himself on negotiating directly with Trump and pandering to Trump's wishes.

However, this attitude has met with criticism from civil society.

A Civil 20 summit member: "Host country Japan curried favor with President Trump, taking a negative stance on the issue of global warming. The Osaka declaration does not have a constructive message in responding to the urgency of climate change corresponding to the responsibility of the G20 nations which together emit 80% of GHG in the world."

Fukakusa Ayumi of FoE Japan: "The climate change issue was an important agenda item, but unfortunately no progress was made. It's not too much to say that it was a backward step."

Asaoka Mie of Kiko Network: "Japan showed a negative stance to the strengthening of climate control standards. It is a betrayal of not only world governments which embarked on a path toward a fossil-free future but also world citizens who suffer from the intense climate crisis."

Past related article:
> G20 Osaka Summit fails to respond to global challenges [June 30, 2019]