[Note: The following is JAMA's translation of an official text in Japanese.]
March 12, 2010
Statement by Industry Association/Federation Chairs on
Japan’s Approval of Draft Legislation on
Measures to Curb Global Warming
Statement signatories:
Satoshi Aoki, Chairman, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association
Yoshio Haga, Chairman, Japan Paper Association
Norio Ichino, Chairman, Japan Gas Association
Shosuke Mori, Chairman, Federation of Electric Power Companies
Shoji Muneoka, Chairman, Japan Iron and Steel Federation
Fumio Otsubo, Chairman, Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association
Akihiko Tenbo, Chairman, Petroleum Association of Japan
Minoru Watanabe, Chairman, Japan Cement Association
Hiromasa Yonekura, Chairman, Japan Chemical Industry Association
On March 12, 2010, the “Draft Bill for the Basic Law on Measures to Curb Global Warming” was approved by Japan’s Cabinet, clearing the way for submission of this proposed legislation to the current session of the National Diet.
The industrial community has consistently maintained that the inclusion of numerical medium- and long-term targets as well as specific measures within the framework of this bill must be opposed in the absence of an adequate provision of relevant information to Japan’s citizenry enabling open debate, and without confirmation that the greenhouse gas (GHG) target reduction levels established by other countries will satisfy the prerequisites stipulated for Japan’s medium-term target. We therefore find today’s Cabinet decision disturbing.
The countermeasures to global warming that are to be adopted include provisions that are certain to have major impacts on the economy and employment in Japan far into the future. In view of this reality, we strongly demand that, in upcoming deliberations on the specific content of the bill in the Diet and other forums, clarity be established with regard to the following issues, and all necessary effort be expended so as to ensure that this legislation gains the support of the Japanese people.
- Issues Pertaining to the Medium-Term Target
- Feasibility: Clarification of the types of technologies to be used and the sectors in which they are to be adopted, as well as the GHG reduction targets to be applied; at the same time, the creation of a roadmap that will establish the compatibility of the measures to be adopted with economic growth strategies.
- Appropriateness of the national burden: Clarification of the costs necessary to implement the measures established by the roadmap, the impact on the national economy, on employment and on people’s lives, as well the public financial burden they will impose.
- International fairness: Based on the elements outlined in a) and b) above, verification of target levels submitted to the United Nations by all countries concerned as well as the use of other means to ascertain and maintain international fairness, including confirmation of whether or not prerequisites are met.
- Issues Pertaining to Individual Measures
In view of the fact that this policy initiative will have hugely significant impacts on people’s lives and on industrial activity, as well as in terms of the public financial burden imposed thereby and other parameters, those impacts must be ascertained, while the appropriateness of the individual measures to be adopted must be thoroughly evaluated, taking into consideration both their merits and demerits, on the basis of transparency and public debate.
