Home / International / Opinion Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
Much at stake for Japan at upcoming G8 summit
Adjust font size:

Possible upturn for Fukuda cabinet

The G8 summit will not only bring diplomatic benefits to Japan but offer a key chance to reverse the decline of support ratings for Prime Minister Fukuda's besieged cabinet.

Fukuda's support ratings have been shrinking over doubts about his ability to cope with a divided parliament, the Diet, which has delayed legislation and blocked key appointments, including road-related tax bills and the government's first two choices for Bank of Japan governor.

Whether Fukuda can push up approval ratings for his cabinet will largely depend on how much Japan achieves on its key proposals on greenhouse gas emissions reduction and African development, issues still deeply fraught with problems.

On the emissions issue, the sector-by-sector approach proposed by Japan to patch up the differences between developed and developing countries is yet to be widely recognized by developing countries or Japan's own energy-consuming industries.

Japan was also criticized at the TICAD IV for its unbalanced assistance, likely to add to the debt burden of African nations.

Under such circumstances, it is imperative for Fukuda to utilize Japan's close ties with industrialized and major developing countries as well as African nations, and coordinate with all parties concerned to reach a consensus.

Environmental, tourism showcase

With the summit drawing near, Japanese businesses are losing no time in promoting their energy-saving or environmentally friendly products to showcase their response to global warming, a key topic of the gathering.

Key Japanese carmakers including Toyota, Honda and Mazda have launched new fuel-cell cars and zero-emission electric vehicles, which will be exhibited during the summit, with trial rides offered to delegates from participating nations.

Some regional financial institutions, such as the Shiga Bank, will debut "environmentally friendly financial products" as the summit opens, to help fund enterprises committed to environmental protection.

The Japanese government also hopes to take advantage of the summit to promote tourism. As part of the promotion program, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony "chado" and flower arrangement "ikebana" will be performed in the areas adjoining the summit venue and at special booths promoting Japanese scenic spots and historical relics.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2008)

     1   2  


Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous
China Archives
Related >>
- G8 must take steps now to fight global warming
- Hu to attend G8 summit in Japan
- WB chief urges G8 to act now
- Climate change, African development top G8 summit agenda
- G8 FMs meeting opens in Kyoto
Most Viewed >>
- Activists protest against G8 summit
- SCO pledges to help ensure Olympic security
- China, NZ pledge to further army exchanges
- Parade held in Red Square during Victory Day
- Sarkozy not wanted at Olympics, survery says
> Korean Nuclear Talks
> Reconstruction of Iraq
> Middle East Peace Process
> Iran Nuclear Issue
> 6th SCO Summit Meeting
Links
- China Development Gateway
- Foreign Ministry
- Network of East Asian Think-Tanks
- China-EU Association
- China-Africa Business Council
- China Foreign Affairs University
- University of International Relations
- Institute of World Economics & Politics
- Institute of Russian, East European & Central Asian Studies
- Institute of West Asian & African Studies
- Institute of Latin American Studies
- Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies
- Institute of Japanese Studies