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This study investigates the impact of environmental product standards on environment and firm locations in an NEG (New Economic Geography) framework. Introducing unilateral environmental product standards and consumption externalities into a footloose capital model, we find that their effect depends on the degree of compliance of the standards and trade cost. Environmental product standards could reduce firm share and emissions in a regulated region when most firms comply with them. When the standards are not widely complied with, their effect depends on trade cost. It is possible that the unilateral standards raise the number of firms in a regulated region and worsen the environment in that region when trade cost is sufficiently small. These results could be useful for evaluating the implementation of environmental product standards as an environmental policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Great Tōhoku-Earthquake and the following nuclear meltdown in Fukushima called the world's attention to Japans' energy and climate policy. Japan is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouses gases in the world and is still facing problems of reaching its Kyoto target by domestic reductions. Emissions trading has been used in Japanese climate policy since 2005. However, major emission reductions have not been achieved and a functioning market does not exist. Hence, using an advanced Public Choice approach, we ask for the political reasons for the failure of ambitious carbon markets in Japan and how the earthquake has influenced the political chances of emissions trading. Also, we evaluate Public Choice's arguments and environmental policy making. We show that in Japan, even after some positive promising developments, chances for an ambitious carbon market are still very low. We also show that a Public Choice that takes exogenous conditions into account delivers important insights into climate policy decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account the fact of global economic integration, this paper improves the RICE model and the MRICES model, and establishes a new integrated assessment model MRICES-2012, which takes Ramsey utility as the standard of fairness. Based on the model, schemes which meet the global emission mitigation targets as well as the interests of developing countries are simulated to assess the international fairness of emission reduction. Therefore, a new feasible scheme is proposed, which can not only reach the Copenhagen Consensus but also ensure interests of every country. Specifically speaking, the US and Japan cut emissions 80% and 70% respectively by 2050 relative to the 1990 level; the EU and other developed countries cut 80% by 2050 relative to 1990 level; high human development countries cut 50% by 2050 relative to 1990 level; all above-mentioned countries start emission reduction from 2020 and keep emission on 2050 level by 2100; China begins emission reduction from 2030 and cuts emission 15% by 2050 and 25% by 2100 relative to 2005 level; medium human development countries keep emission on 2020 level by 2100; low human development countries do not take part in reduction on emission intensity and global emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether voluntary actions can lead to manufacturing sector investment that reduces environmental impact. Our approach relies on unique firm-level panel data. First, we investigate the effects of the Keidanren's (Japanese Business Federation) voluntary action plans (VAP) on investment in energy efficiency and environmental preservation. We also consider the type of VAP used by a firm, whether absolute or relative targets. We conclude that firms with absolute targets are more likely to invest in energy-efficiency processes than those with relative targets. Our simulation confirms that the use of absolute targets can increase investment in energy efficiency by 7%. Hence, we confirmed that voluntary action plans with absolute targets are effective in increasing investment related to energy efficiency. Second, we examine whether VAP promotes investment in low-emission processes at the expense of productive investment. We conclude that VAP promotes investment in energy efficiency and protecting the environment by reducing productive investment. Finally, our results did not verify the existence of a liquidity constraint for emission reduction investment for large firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recent environmental issues such as global warming and illegal dumping of waste, people are getting more concerned with the impacts of household activities on the environment. Environmental conservation activities conducted voluntarily by citizens may reduce these impacts. Citizens can be encouraged by the assessment of their activities for further undertakings. In this article, as necessary tools for such assessment, new statistics measuring the size of citizens’ activities in the environmental conservation are presented along with the outline of environmental governance in Japan. In concluding, several strategies for effective involvement of citizens in the environmental governance are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied the Kuhn-Tucker model to Japanese recreational behavior in neighboring national parks. The results of the application show that local inhabitants attach importance to the satisfactory provision of facilities in each national park. Predictions are made regarding the changes in trip demands that arise with the implementation of hypothetical park management. The prediction results show that there is a spatial substitution effect between national parks, although to a small degree. The results are compared with results based on a repeated discrete choice model. Furthermore, the compensating variations caused by the policies are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In permit trading systems, free initial allocation is common practice. A recent example is the European Union Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). We investigate effects of different free allocation schemes on incentives and identify significant perverse effects on abatement and output employing a simple multi-period model. Firms have incentives for strategic action if allocation in one period depends on their actions in previous ones and thus can be influenced by them. These findings play a major role where trading schemes become increasingly popular as environmental or resource use policy instruments. This is of particular relevance in the EU-ETS where the current period is a trial-period before the first commitment period of the Kyoto protocol. Finally, this paper fills a gap in the literature by establishing a consistent terminology for initial allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the enactment of the automobile recycling law in Japan. Trends in end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling system; Factors behind the enactment of the automobile recycling law; Significance of the law in its attempts to initiate a Japan model of extended producer responsibility in the area of ELV recycling.

Examines the relevance of material flow accounting to environmental policy issues in Japan. Characteristics of recent material flows based on outcomes of international comparison study; Analysis of longer-term trends in demographic changes and economic growth; Insights on the upcoming matured and aging society.

Discusses the responsibilities of Japan as an environmental leader. Description of Japan's environmental record; Japan's participation in debt-for-nature swaps; Japanese firms' allocation to pollution control; Establishment by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) of the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE); Prime Minister Miyazawa's vision for Japan's environmental leadership.

The article presents information about Kyoto Protocol, a convention for environmental protection reached by various countries in the Kyoto city of Japan. The Kyoto Protocol has only just come into force, but its 2012 expiration date already looms large on the horizon. A successor agreement faces some formidable political obstacles. Negotiations on Kyoto II are due to begin at the eleventh meeting of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Montreal in November, 2004. Climate science, and the tools that researchers can use to detect global change, have advanced significantly since 1997, when the Kyoto Protocol was negotiated.

A correction is presented to the article "A target-oriented data envelopment analysis for energy-environment efficiency improvement in Japan" that was published in a previous issue.

The article discusses the issues to be raised at the 2008 Group of Eight (G8) Summit in Hokkaido, Japan in July 2008. Accordingly, the meeting, which has been expanded to include the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change, will consider climate change as its main focus, while global food shortage and nuclear nonproliferation are only secondary in the agenda. However, it notes that the increasing oil prices could possibly overshadow talks on climate change. Further details on other problems to be addressed are presented.

Reports that proposed legislation in Japan to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions has been criticized for lacking measures to ensure compliance by industry. Bill drawn up by the Environment Agency; Requirements of bill; Views of environment minister Hiroshi Oki; Significance of the bill; Those resisting the bill.

Discusses issues related to the December, 1997 United Nations climate convention at Kyoto, Japan. Goal of a new legally binding treaty to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions; Key issue of willingness of governments to set aside differences; Perspectives of various governments; Japan's consensual approach; Developing-country participation; Idea of per-capita emissions.

Reports that many of Japan's major companies and economic organizations have agreed to contribute a total of $400 million for the establishment of a new research institute for environmental technology. The Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth will be located at Kansai science city.

Reveals that the Japanese government has adopted a program containing two different targets for limiting carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2000. Ministry on International Trade and Industry and the Environmental Agency both have ambitious goals.

Reports on both praise and criticism from various organizations over Japan's handling of global environmental issues. Useful technology; Environmental destruction in developing countries.

Reports on budget proposals by Japan's ministries and agencies for research related to the global environment. Establishment of new research centers; Cost; Plans.