1 March 2001
Since these environmental issues arose as a result of our socio-economic activities, the government must adopt various measures from an environmental perspective, and society as a whole must review its socio-economic modalities to include consideration for the environment.
In order to do so, a conference will be convened in order to discuss policies for the creation of "Wa-no-kuni". The conference will solicit the opinions of Cabinet members as well as experts from a broad range of disciplines.
On the whole the Japanese word "Wa" is meant to call to mind "eco", a "recycling"-based society, "partnership" among people, "harmonious" relationships between humankind and living things, and Japan's "links" to the world, based on the traditional Japanese concept of "Wa" (circle/cycle/harmony/partnership).
The Prime Minister will serve as the conference chair, and proceedings will be led by the Minister of the Environment.
General matters pertaining to the conference will be organized by the Cabinet Secretariat, with the cooperation of the Ministry of the Environment.
Yuko Sakita Journalist and environmental counselor Masamitsu Sakurai President, Ricoh Co., Ltd. Koichi Sueyoshi Mayor of Kitakyushu Shinji Fukukawa Chief Executive Officer, Dentsu Institute for Human Studies Masao Maekawa Chairman, MAYEKAWA Mfg. Co., Ltd Yoichi Morishita Chairman, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Akio Morishima Chair of the Board of Directors, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Ryoichi Yamamoto Professor, Center for Collaborative Research, The University of Tokyo Takeshi Yoro Professor, Faculty of General Studies, Center for Liberal Arts and Sciences, Kitasato University Izumi Washitani Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Tokyo
Note: Both the Parliamentary Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Administrative Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary will attend the conference.