One would wonder, after reading John Cherin's questions raised in his July 10 letter, "G8 sequestered from the action," whether he was deliberately trying to be facetious.
Did Cherin think that the leaders of the Group of Eight would need to step out of their own countries to "experience the packaging excesses" of a city like Tokyo? Would they need to venture beyond New York, London or Rome to "witness the streets crowded with idling cars as authorities turn a blind eye"?
The answer clearly is "no," and I fail to see how replicating what the leaders can already see at home by holding the summit in Tokyo could have made them do a better job at saving our environment -- besides perhaps reducing the carbon emissions and consumption of jet fuel en route from Haneda Airport (Tokyo) to Chitose Airport (Sapporo).
Moreover, the choice of Toyako as the venue for the G8 summit was not Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's but his predecessor Shinzo Abe's.
According to a Reuters report, Abe "saw the scenic site as symbolizing his slogan of 'Beautiful Country, Japan,' a reference to his desire to revive respect for traditional values such as patriotism, and harmony with nature." We can only begin to hope that the G8 leaders start imbibing these virtues.
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