(Unofficial Transcript)

Press Briefing by the Government of Japan
at the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: As you know, various meetings have been taking place. And the plenary session is still underway.

There is one specific thing I'd like to tell you before we move on to questions. Because there are non-Japanese reporters here, let me address this first. Japan is the host of COP3, and as such it wishes to express in specific budget terms that the country is ready to lead the way in the effort to prevent global warming. So the government announced that special considerations will be made for scientific and technological purposes and economic restructuring related to preventing global warming. The prime minister has given specific instructions. The first is to develop innovative new technologies, such as reservoirs for carbon dioxide. The second is to further promote low emission technologies and vehicles. The third is to ask individuals in Japan to make efforts to change their lifestyles toward lower energy consumption and emissions. And the fourth is to promote cooperation with the developing countries, especially cooperation with regard to promoting energy efficiency. The prime minister has given these specific instructions in relation to the budget for next fiscal year. I've explained the Kyoto Initiative to you, and we'd very much like to implement this initiative.

With regard to the United States and the European Union, moreover, we are asking them to emulate Japan in making their own respective budgetary efforts as well. However hard Japan works for cooperation with the developing countries, we still need to have other developed countries come up with a similar willingness to cooperate with the developing countries. We very much hope that our colleagues in the industrialized countries will make efforts equivalent to Japan's.

Yesterday, Mr. Suzuki of the Environment Agency referred to the questions of sinks. As you know, from the vantage point of preventing global warming, Japan believes that the best approach is to measure emissions from a gross perspective. We have been advocating this position very strongly, and many other countries have been supporting this position. But if we look at what countries are saying at this conference, there seems to be an increasing inclination toward the net approach, even among those countries that have been advocating the gross position before. Nevertheless, we'd like to continue with our efforts so that even if we come up with a net agreement, the adverse effects of this approach would be minimized. We'd very much like the continued support of those countries that have supported the gross position so far. This is an important issue.

Question: The Financial Times. When did the prime minister issue these instructions that you mentioned?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: He gave us these instructions yesterday.

Question: What is your view on the proposal we've seen from New Zealand about commitments for the developing countries?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: We consider the New Zealand proposal to be a very good basis for further consultations on some very important issues for all parties, and we recognize it to be a very good contribution.

Question: Alexander Versing[?inaudible] from Dutch Financial Daily. The European Commissioner, Ritt Bjerregaard, this morning released a press statement saying "I'm extremely disappointed in Japan's continued and exaggerated criticism of the EU bubble." Has there been any change on Japan's position toward the EU bubble? What is your reaction to this press release by the European Commissioner?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: Actually I had a chance to speak with her over the phone, around noon. We had a very constructive talk. Everybody knows that the EU has its position, and that Japan has its position. That is why we are engaged in negotiation right now.

Question: My name is Suwa from Kyodo News Agency. What is your understanding on sinks at this moment

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: I believe that negotiations with experts are continuing with the United States. I haven't been informed about how far they have gone, so I'd would like to refrain from going into any further detail.

Question: My name is Suzuki, and I'm from Kyoto Shimbun. Listening to the discussions in the plenary today there seems to be a very wide gap in the positions of the developed countries and the developing countries. Given these gaping differences, how optimistic are you that you will be able to forge a Kyoto Protocol at the conference?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: We had a plenary session this afternoon, and in fact it's still going on now. There have been very active interventions from the floor. It may be close to ending now, but I'm not sure. I believe you are quite familiar with what were being said. I believe the comments are an indication of the importance both the developed and developing countries attach to the outcome of this conference and the phenomenon of global warming. This is something we should take due note of.

Question: Eric Johnston of the Japan Times. At the previous press conference there was a question about the role of the EU brokering an agreement between the United States and the developing countries. I'm just curious, as host of this conference, what ideas do you have for the Japanese delegation to maybe help smooth things out between the U.S. and the G-77, and particularly, between the U.S. and China.

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: We have been sending special envoys to various countries. And our prime minister has written personal letters to leaders of the developing countries as well as developed countries. This is part of our diplomatic efforts to advance the cause of preventing climate change. In connection with your question about the role Japan has been playing, to bridge the positions of the United States and the developing countries, perhaps you remember that Japan has been asking the United States to become more flexible vis-a-vis the developing countries. Actually, when Prime Minister Hashimoto attended the [Vancouver] APEC meeting, he took up this matter in a speech at a luncheon, which was devoted entirely to climate-change issues. He explained his various ideas and tried to bring all member countries of the APEC region to one common position. Needless to say, APEC is composed of major developed countries, except for the European Union, as well as China and other big economies of the developing world.

Question: I believe there's been considerable debate between Japan and the EU on the so-called EU bubble. Can you talk about the things that have been said? Has the discussions been about reduction levels? Has the notion of "region" been an issue?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: We haven't taken issue with the European Union "region" as such. A regional economic institution that seeks to jointly address reduction targets raises questions about legality, fairness, transparency, and so on. As you know, Japan, the EU, the United States, and other countries are currently negotiating on these matters on the draft text of a final protocol, and I understand that some progress is being made.

Question: Usui, with the Asahi Shimbun. With regard to the New Zealand proposal, you said that it may be a good basis for further negotiation. Do you support this proposal completely? If not, which parts do you support, and which do you not? Secondly, there was great opposition to the proposal from the developing countries. As the host of this conference, how do you intend to deal with those countries that are strongly opposed to the New Zealand idea?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: The text of the New Zealand proposal was distributed at the plenary, and from a quick reading of it, I believe it would serve as a good basis of discussion, as I've said. We shall have to study the proposal in further detail before we can make any additional comments on its merits and demerits.

Having said that, I believe that joint effort by both the developed and developing countries is the key to success at this conference, and that is why President Oki will continue to actively consult with all countries concerned. And the ardent feelings he expressed at the plenary are an indication of the importance he attaches to the prevention of global warming. Bearing this in mind, talks will proceed. In view of the fact that ministers and leaders will be arriving soon, negotiations will continue amongst the delegations.

Question: My name is Ishii from the Asahi Shimbun. I believe that Japan expressed the wish, as host of the conference that even if the conference doe not produce a protocol, it should at least achieve agreement in a different form. Listening to the plenary sessions today, I can't escape the feeling that even a less binding agreement might be impossible.

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: First and foremost, I believe that the Berlin Mandate enshrines what you have mentioned. Beyond that, this is the highest decision-making body, and we can table various issues, as we have been doing. This is part of what you have witnessed at the plenaries. As I've mentioned earlier, we will proceed with the talks. We hope that we are moving toward a successful conclusion. We will continue our talks with the parties concerned, and we hope that the earnestness of the parties will be reflected in the cooperation that is rendered.

Question: My name is Kikko from NTV. You have expressed a desire for the conference to end on a note of success. If a protocol is achieved that does not actively engage the efforts of the developing countries, would you still call this a success?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: Since the question is about a hypothetical situation, I'd like to refrain from making a comment about it.

Question: I'm from the China Evening News. I just heard at the ongoing plenary some developing countries remarking that the joint implementation idea among developed countries is an excuse not to fulfill their commitment to the Berlin Mandate. Can you comment on this remark?

Ambassador Toshiaki Tanabe: Every country has been trying to do their best within the limits of their competence.