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The Prime Minister Attends the Conference for Environmental Security -- A Message for the G8 Leaders Friday, June 13, 2008 JAPANESE

(Photograph courtesy of the Asahi Shimbun)

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the Conference for Environmental Security -- A Message for the G8 Leaders, held at a hotel in Tokyo, and delivered an opening speech. This symposium is held with the purpose of conducting intensive discussions on global environmental issues including global warming under the theme of "A Message for the G8 Leaders." In his speech, Prime Minister Fukuda presented Japan's views focusing on international strategy to address global environmental issues. Specifically, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of a global undertaking, of the development and dissemination of innovative technologies, and of the establishment of a common methodology, which utilizes a sectoral approach, to set quantified national targets, among other measures. In the conclusion of the speech, the Prime Minister said, "Japan, as an advanced nation in terms of the environment, will continue to exert its leadership in the creation of a post-Kyoto framework. The G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit will be held next month. As a first step towards an international agreement to be concluded at the end of next year in Copenhagen, I intend to engage in fruitful discussions with world leaders. I will certainly make good reference to the message of this symposium."