High Noon in Japan: Embedded Symbolism and Post-2001 Kyoto Protocol Politics

Abstract

In 2001, the Japanese government committed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change against industry pressures and in spite of the US decision to withdraw from the agreement. This commitment was crucial for the survival of the protocol. Japan has subsequently introduced substantial-yet, mostly voluntary-measures. To explain the puzzle of Japan's ratification, this article builds upon the agenda-setting literature and advances the concept of embedded symbolism. During the 1990s, political leaders elevated climate change and the Kyoto Protocol to the level of a national symbol. Thus, although in 2001 successful implementation of the Kyoto target looked extremely difficult and industry opposition was strong, the symbolism of Kyoto backed by strong public support tipped the balance in favor of ratification. (c) 2007 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Interests, institutions, and climate policy: Explaining the choice of policy instruments for the energy sector

“…No explicitly environmental party existed in the 2000-2005 period. The dominant governing Liberal Democratic Party supported nuclear power, however the central justification focused on energy security (Tiberghien and Schreurs, 2007). While policymakers thus had a general incentive to respond to voter interest in climate change, there was no political party representation pushing for climate-related polices within the national parliament.…”

“…Finally, Japan has high values in terms of energy intensive industry influence, measures as a comparatively high ratio of manufacturing to GDP. Studies in comparative political economy also suggest that the peak industry body -the Federation of Economic Organizations -is incorporated into decisionmaking, giving it the ability to influence policy outcomes (Tiberghien and Schreurs, 2007), a fact underlined by its central role in overseeing industry response to climate change (International Energy Agency, 2003:38-39).…”

Japan’s position in international climate policy: navigating between Kyoto and the APP

“…Both the EU and Japan ratified the Kyoto Protocol, and have been firm supporters of the treaty, although for different reasons. Whereas the EU wants to promote the Protocol in terms of environmental integrity, Japan has above all a symbolic tie with the treaty, given the place of its inception (Kanie 2006;Tiberghien and Schreurs 2007). By joining the APP, Japan has been able to continue its cooperation with the US-as well as with important Asian trade competitors/partners-on climate change issues, while at the same time staying involved in the post-2012 discussions under the UN climate regime.…”

“…The plan was established at least in part out of fear of possible government regulations (Matsumura 2000). Although Keidanren did not explicitly consult with the government in drawing up the plan, the government later approved it (Schroeder 2003), and policy measures for the industry sector in Japan have been based on Keidanren's voluntary action plan (Tiberghien and Schreurs 2007).…”

“…Although environmental NGOs have not been as powerful and influential as in other countries (Foljanty-Jost 2005), their voice is increasingly being heard in some parts of the government (Fisher 2004;Tiberghien and Schreurs 2007). Both domestic and international environmental NGOs in Japan are sceptical of the APP, instead supporting Kyoto's targetsand-timetables approach.…”