Austerity plan
THE Japanese cabinet recently approved an energy-conservation programme which aims at making drastic reductions in carbondioxide (CO2) emissions. The energy package includes 66 plans including one which would restrict the number of cars allowed into heavy traffic zones.
The plan seeks to achieve zero growth in energy consumption by the year 2000, which would enable the country to meet its target of cutting CO2 emissions. In urban areas, drivers will be required to leave their cars in parking lots on the outskirts of cities, and finish their trips by public transportation. Other incentives for energy conservation include tax breaks for vehicles consuming less fuel, energy saving ratings of consumer electronics items and housing and a target to cut corporate energy use by one per cent a year.
Ministries and agencies of the concerned sectors wilt be responsible for developing measures to implement the policy. Work on implementation of these measures will start in the current fiscal year; however, no deadlines have been set for its completion.