Japan Ratifies Kyoto Protocol  

Embassy of Japan

June 4, 2002

            Global warming is one of the most important international environmental issues.  Acknowledging the fact that the international community needs urgent concerted actions to tackle global warming, Japan has been taking initiatives to foster international cooperation for the prevention of global warming and to bring the Kyoto Protocol into force by 2002.     

On June 4, at a cabinet meeting, the Government of Japan decided to ratify the “Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”  The Government of Japan considers the international agreement as an extremely significant step in consolidating international actions to prevent global warming.  The Government of Japan hopes that other countries join the Kyoto Protocol, thus bringing it into force as soon as possible.  The Government of Japan is also aware of the fact that it is vital for all countries to make an effort to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ensure the effectiveness of actions against global warming.   The Government of Japan will do its utmost to establish a common rule, in which all countries including the United States and the developing countries participate.

            The Government of Japan already adopted the Guideline for Measures to Prevent Global Warming, which outlines a comprehensive and planned approach to ensure that Japan meets the goals outlined in the Kyoto Protocol, on March 19.  Based on the Guideline, the Government of Japan will do its utmost to meet the commitment under the Kyoto Protocol, taking account of establishing mechanisms that enhance compatibility between the environment and the economy as well as fostering technological innovation and creative initiatives in business circles.

            Statements by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on the acceptance of the Kyoto Protocol by Japan are downloadable from the following websites: 

http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2002/06/04danwa_e.html (Prime Minister Koizumi’s statement)

http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2002/6/0604-2.html (Foreign Minister Kawaguchi’s statement)