The nation's emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to global warming increased 2.2 percent in fiscal 2002 from the previous year, marking the first rise in two years, the government said Tuesday.
Environment Minister Yuriko Koike attributed part of the rise to increased power generation at thermal power stations, caused by the shutdown of several nuclear power plants operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. following a defect-coverup scandal.
Koike said a boost in industrial activity due to a recovery in Japan's economy also pushed up greenhouse gas emissions.