New Japan Prime Minister's Lofty Goals

Japan's LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) has enjoyed political supremacy for the better part of the last 40 years. However, on the heels of one of the country's worst recessions, and calls for more agressive actions from critics, current Prime Minister Taro Aso and the LDP were soundly defeated in last week's elections here in Japan. The winner, Yukio Hatoyama of the DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan), has come to office with a lot of support and some aggressive ideas.

Among them, new goals set forth to reduce the country’s greenhouse gases. The previous administration had put forth a goal of 8% reduction in greenhouse gases from 1990 levels by 2020 ahead of the Copenhagen meeting of over 200 countries later this year to renew the Kyoto Protocol. Hatoyama and the DPJ on the other hand, ran on a more aggressive campaign and this week promised to follow through. His goal is a 25% reduction from 1990 levels by 2020. Very lofty, and one in which Hatoyama hopes to follow through on because of the traction and popularity the topic received during the campaign.

I’m guessing these hot Japan summers make it a little easier to convince voters or gain traction on such an issue. August was brutally hot and humid here in Nagoya, and there hasn’t been a sign of letting up heading into September. With temperatures still hovering around 95°F and overwhelming humidity around 65%; many people are starting to refer to this season as 残暑 (ざんしょ), or extended heat. The ‘extended heat’ seems to make people anxious for action.

Hatoyama faces critics from industry regarding the new plan, but he hopes to use the initiative to encourage other countries to increase their own goals as well as financially and technically support developing nations with climate change. Hatoyama plans to meet these goals through a series of legislation such as creating a domestic emissions trading market, introducing a ‘feed-in’ tariff that financially rewards industries that expand their use of renewable energies, subsidized energy technologies, and backing jobs in the renewable energy manufacturing sectors.

Source: Japan Times (09-08-2009) Hatayama Firm on 25% Emissions Goal