The government's announced target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in 2012 by 5 percent from the 1990 level is adequate, Yasuo Shingu, chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), said Oct. 6."The important point is not to make Japan look good at the Kyoto conference, but to set an achievable goal that encourages (companies and the public) to work for it," Shingu said. He expressed opposition toward an introduction of an energy tax, saying tax incentives would be more effective in ushering in more environment-friendly lifestyles.Referring to the expected criticism over Japan's plan from the European Union, which is calling for a 15 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions, Shingu said conditions in Japan and Europe are different because Japan has constantly worked to conserve energy ever since the 1973 oil shock.
