Philip Patrick Philip Patrick

The strange truth about Japan’s climate change target

A climate change protester takes to the streets of Tokyo (Getty images)

Japan has just raised its target for reducing carbon emissions from 26 per cent to 46 per cent (by 2030 from 2013 levels). But how was this figure arrived at, environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi was asked? Through a careful analysis of the threat and a realistic assessment of what could be achieved, taking all relevant factors into consideration? Well, er no, according to Koizumi, the number 46 just appeared to him in ‘silhouette’ in a sort of vision.

Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, made the comments in an interview with the TV station TBS last weekend. The interviewer, despite her face mask, was clearly stunned by the revelation that the country’s emission target did not appear to have any scientific basis. She asked the minister to confirm what he had said; and he did.

Koizumi known by the nicknames ‘sexy’ and ‘the poet’ is, like his extravagantly coiffured Elvis impersonating father, something of an unusual figure in the staid world of Japanese politics. He inherited his House of Representatives seat when his father retired in 2009 – still how things are often done here in Japan – and has been steadily climbing the pole ever since, unhindered by various gaffes, alleged scandals, and now visions, along the way.

Despite his undoubted confidence, it is not entirely clear that Shinjiro Koizumi truly understands the environmental brief he is now tasked with

He has plenty of fans. And the power of the Koizumi name, his boyband good looks (the diet building sells green tea flavoured ‘Shinji-rolls’ adorned with his likeness), and the glamour brought by his TV star wife got him briefly mentioned as a potential replacement for Shinzo Abe when the former prime minister stepped down last year. Some starry-eyed supporters see Shinji as the future – he’s only 40, a mere pup in Japan’s gerontocratic establishment – while others think he’s an over promoted odd ball.

Despite his undoubted confidence, it is not entirely clear that Shinjiro Koizumi truly understands the environmental brief he is now tasked with.

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