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November 2, 2020 ASIA / PACIFIC THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 5 Post-Abe agenda: Suga says Japan to go carbon-free by 2050 PORTLAND’S LEADER IN NATURAL BURIAL & AQUA CREMATION By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press OKYO — Japan will achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared, outlining an ambitious agenda as the country struggles to balance economic and pandemic concerns. The policy speech at the outset of the parliamentary session was Suga’s first since he took office on September 16 after his boss, Shinzo Abe, resigned over health reasons. It reflects Suga’s pragmatic approach to getting things done, though it’s unclear he will have the political heft needed to overcome vested interests in weaning the resource-scarce nation from its reliance on imports of oil and gas. Suga just returned from a trip to Vietnam and Indonesia, where he pushed ahead with Abe’s efforts to build closer ties and promote a regional vision for countering growing Chinese influence. Now out of Abe’s shadow, back home Suga has been pumping out consumer-friendly policies. He has earned a reputation as a cost cutter. He said he intends to make a sustainable economy a pillar of his growth strategy and “put maximum effort into achieving a green society.” That includes achieving a carbon-free society by 2050. The European Union and Britain have already set similar targets for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and China recently announced it would become carbon-free by 2060. Japan previously targeted an 80% reduction by 2050. Suga portrayed the need to shift away from fossil fuels to counter climate change as an opportunity rather than a burden. “Global warming measures are no longer obstacles for economic growth, but would lead to industrial and socio-economic reforms and a major growth,” he said. “We need to change our mindset.” Japan’s current energy plan, set in 2018, calls for 22% to 24% of its energy to come from renewables, 20% to 22% from nuclear power, and 56% from fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas. Progress toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels has been hindered due to the prolonged closures of most of Japan’s nuclear plants after the meltdown of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the northeastern Tohoku region. Energy experts are now discussing revisions to Japan’s basic energy plan for 2030 and 2050. The 2050 emissions-free target would require drastic changes and likely prompt calls for more nuclear plant restarts. About 40% of Japan’s carbon emissions come from power companies, and they must use more renewable sources of energy while stepping up development of technologies using hydrogen, ammonia, and other carbon-free resources, experts say. Suga said he will speed up research and development of key technologies such as next generation solar batteries and carbon recycling. He also promised to reduce Japan’s reliance on coal-fired energy by promoting conservation and maximizing renewables, while promoting nuclear energy. U.N. secretary-general António Guterres called Japan’s announcement that it will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 “a very significant positive development,” his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement. “The secretary-general now looks forward to the concrete policy measures that will be proposed and implemented to reach this goal, that can help other countries define their own strategies,” the statement said. Environmental groups also welcomed the announce- ment. “Carbon neutrality is no longer a lofty, faraway dream, but a necessary commitment,” in line with international climate-change agreements, Jennifer T Tu Phan Branch Manager, NMLS #7916 Call about refinances & purchases Offering FHA/VA/Conventional Mortgages (503) 780-6872 <tu.phan@fairwaymc.com> <www.LoansNow.com> 12817 S.E. 93rd Ave. Clackamas, OR 97015 GREEN GOALS. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga attends an extraordinary Diet session at the upper house of parliament in Tokyo on October 26, 2020. Suga declared Japan will achieve zero carbon emis- sions by 2050 in his first policy speech after taking over from Shinzo Abe. The policy speech at the outset of the parliamentary session set an ambi- tious agenda reflecting Suga’s pragmatic approach to getting things done. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, said in a statement. In the short term, Japan’s top priority is to curb the pandemic while reviving the economy, Suga said. Turning to Japan’s biggest long-term problem, a low birthrate and shrinking population, Suga reiterated a pledge to provide insurance coverage for infertility treatments. He also said he would promote paternity leaves for working fathers to ease the burden of child-rearing and home-making on working mothers. He promised more help for single-parent households, more than half of which are living in poverty. Among other highlights, Suga said: w The Japan-U.S. alliance, a cornerstone of Japanese diplomacy and security, is key to achieving a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” regional economic and security framework to counter China’s sway. w Japan, meanwhile, seeks to have stable ties and cooperate with China. w Japan is open to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to resolve conflicts over abductions of Japanese citizens years ago and wartime compensation and to normalize diplomacy with Pyongyang. w South Korea is “an extremely important neighbor,” but it should drop its demands for compensation over Korean wartime forced laborers to restore “healthy” bilateral relations. Since taking office, Suga has crafted a populist and pragmatic image, winning public support for his rela- tively modest background and low-profile, hardworking style. He has ordered his cabinet to step up implementation of pet projects such as lowering cellphone rates and accelerating use of online government, business, and medical services. “I will break administrative divisions, vested interests, and bad precedents to push for reforms,” Suga said. But he also said Japanese should try to help themselves before looking to the government for assistance, in line with what experts say is a conservative stance that is unsympathetic to the disadvantaged. Suga is best known for his effectiveness in corralling powerful bureaucrats to force through Abe’s policies. His hardline approach has sometimes drawn criticism. Earlier in October, he was accused of seeking to muzzle dissent by choosing not to appoint six professors out of a slate of 105 to the state-funded Science Council of Japan. The flap triggered massive protests from academics and took the public support rating for his cabinet down about 10 points to just above 50%. Opposition lawmakers are expected to raise the issue during the 41-day session through December 5. Tokyo Olympics to give refunds to ticket buyers in Japan By Stephen Wade The Associated Press OKYO — Fans living in Japan who bought tickets for the postponed Tokyo Olympics have been guaranteed refunds, the local organizing committee has said. This does not apply to fans who purchased tickets outside Japan through so-called Authorized Ticket Resellers appointed by national Olympic committees. Many have already set terms for refunds, which vary by nation or territory. Fans in Japan who already know they cannot use their tickets next year can get their money back by applying online for refunds during a specified period, between November 10 and 30. The Paralympic period is December T 1 through 21. Organizers also said refunds would be made if limited seating were available at venues because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As the host, there is a possibility that we may not be able to provide spectating opportunities to a part of the ticket holders,” Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya said, speaking in Japanese during an online briefing. “In that case we will provide a refund.” The ticket situation — like everything else surrounding next year’s postponed Olympics — is up in the air. Conditions will depend on the pandemic. Organizers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) say they intend to open the Olympics on July 23, 2021. But there are few details so far about exactly how Continued on page 8 Copyright©2018 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289. 4750 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718, 1-877-699-0353. All rights reserved. Fairway is not affiliated with any government agencies. 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