Japan

Thank you Mr. Chairman,
Now Japanese government is battling for decoupling GHG emission from active
transport like other countries.
To solve this problem, we believe that the positive dialogue with market and industry is
critical.
So, I would like to introduce one example in Japan. That is, promoting low -emission and
energy-efficient vehicles ? such as hybrid vehicles and natural gas bus / track.
In Japan, in July 2001, Japanese g overnment established ?Action Plan for LEVs
Development and Promotion ?. The plan stipulates the target of popularizing 10 million
units or more of LEVs in practical use in the earliest stage possible before FY2010.
As a result, number of low -emission and energy-efficient vehicles owned in Japan
increased to about 9.68 billion units in last April.
Promotion of LEVs is considered to have accelerate due to government?s initiative in the
replacement of official vehicles and introduction of greening of automobile tax.
Especially this government?s initiative gave a distinct sign of new market of
low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles to Japanese car makers.
So I would like to say again that the positive dialogue with market and industry is
critical.
Thank you.