May 22, 2013

The Upper House Environment Committee on May 16 approved a bill to relax the government’s efforts to combat global warming by a majority of the Liberal Democratic, Komei, and Democratic parties.

The Japanese Communist Party opposed the bill because it fails to impose on the state any responsibility to reduce greenhouse gases.

Japan pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol’s second commitment period (2012-2020) in which state parties are obliged to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The bill, instead of agreed upon the international framework, requires the government to draw up a new plan to deal with global warming.

JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi, who is also the member of the Upper House, pointed out at the committee session that the Abe Cabinet prepared the bill in response to a strong request from the business community. He criticized the government for escaping from the internationally-binding framework and instead setting a “voluntary target.”

The lawmaker also condemned the administration for its intent to reactivate offline nuclear reactors and construct new nuclear power plants. Ichida argued that the government should carry out its duties to prevent global warming by promoting the use of renewable energy.