Japan's Climate Policy, Diplomacy and Perceptions of the Kyoto Protocol and the Asia Pacific Pact.

Minus 6 % of the Kyoto Protocol is a tough target for Japan that has already achieved a high level of energy efficiency. GHG emissions have increased by 8% in 2004 from 1990 level, which even sum up to 14 % gap between the current emission level and the target. A debate over environmental tax is stalled within a government-wide tax reform context, and the government is now preparing for introducing an emissions trading scheme. Although current policies in achieving the target are seemingly coordinated at a first glance, two divided views have been persisting ever since the US rejection of the Kyoto Protocol when it comes to perceptions on the future direction of climate regime. Those who concerned about economic competitiveness prefer less rigid target, whereas those who concerned about the environment and about the impact of climate change prefer continuing and enhancing the Kyoto. No consensus has yet emerged between the two blocks, and Japan has so far followed international initiatives on both sides, which are in effect complementary rather than conflicting. This may be proven to provide a positive effect in climate policy in the long run by facilitating social de-carbonization process through various policy mechanisms. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]