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December 2, 2010

Japan Opposes Extension of Kyoto Protocol
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Environmental groups attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference in
Cancún, Mexico, are criticizing Japan for opposing an extension of the
Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012. On Wednesday, Japan confirmed that it wants
Kyoto to expire, citing the lack of participation by the U.S. and China.
Yuri Onodera of Friends of the Earth Japan criticized the Japanese
stance.

Yuri Onodera: "I think that Japan also has to recognize its
responsibility, both historical and as well as today’s responsibility,
as one of the per capita highest polluter in the world. This is not
negotiating tactics, but this is a highest-level decision by the prime
minister himself, so this is a very hardline position taken by our
government."



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