of $ 1450\ ^{\circ}C $ in a rotary kiln. In Japan, an energy efficient dry kiln is used. This method utilizes the combustion exhaust gas from the rotary kiln's burner to dry and preheat the materials before firing. Compared to the wet kiln, which does not dry or preheat the materials, this method can cut the heat quantity needed by about 36-37% for making one ton of clinker.

## 6 Meetings of the Council on the Global Warming Issue Held

In line with the policy address delivered by Prime Minister Fukuda at the 169th Diet in January 2008, meetings of the Council on the Global Warming Issue, attended by experts, have been held since March to explain to the public the concept of a low carbon society and ways to facilitate a transition to such a society. With a view to shifting to a low carbon society, the Council reviews production systems, lifestyles, and ways to bring about fundamental changes to cities and transportation. To curb GHG emissions drastically, the Council has chosen ten cities, which will take on the challenge of becoming model environmental cities by setting ambitious goals and implementing progressive measures. The Council will discuss as quickly as possible basic principles for these model cities, ways to mobilize the citizens to help steadily achieve the Kyoto Protocol, and measures for Japan to provide leadership in international discussions of the next framework. Emissions trading systems, environmental taxes, and other policy measures to facilitate emissions reduction will also be discussed in depth.

As we have seen so far, in order for us to advance to a low carbon society, all sectors of the society must make efforts to minimize carbon dioxide emissions. In order to achieve the long-term goal of halving the global GHG emissions from the current level by 2050 as proposed in Cool Earth 50, Japan as a developed country must proactively and significantly reduce its emissions of GHGs by that year. There seems to be a general perception that unless we impose tight restrictions on our daily lives, we will not be able to realize a low carbon society. However, as Chapter 2 shows, there is a gathering momentum in the world to view the transition to a low carbon society as a new business opportunity and the world is responding to it positively by developing renewable energy and expanding the eco-business market.

The objective for the launch of the Council on the Global Warming Issue also indicates that to overcome global warming, the society and the economy must advance to a new level that views the global warming crisis as an opportunity for the world as a whole to realize growth.

In relation to this, Japan has proposed to invest approximately 30 billion dollars in the next five years for the research and development in the fields of the environment and energy.

At the same time, for the world trend of viewing the global warming crisis as an opportunity to take root in Japan, it is important that we research and analyze the environmental and socio-economic trends and backgrounds of global warming measures in Japan and overseas, raise public awareness, and implement various policy measures systematically and with a long-term perspective.

Council on the Global Warming Issue

(Photo: courtesy of Cabinet Office, Government of Japan)

## Japan’s Contribution to Global Warming Measures in the Asian Region

## 1 State of the Environment in the Asian Region and Future Forecast

As we have seen in Chapter 1, any full-fledged measures to reduce GHG emissions in the future must be carried out not only by the developed countries but also in cooperation with the developing countries. The Asian