June 17, 2004
JAMA Welcomes the Interim Report of the Japanese Government’s Energy Conservation Subcommittee
Itaru Koeda, Chairman
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association welcomes the revisions proposed for the Master Plan for Measures to Prevent Global Warming in the Interim Report issued recently by the Japanese government’s Energy Conservation Subcommittee. First released in 1998, the Master Plan outlines measures to be adopted to promote the achievement of government targets for the reduction of energy-derived CO2 emissions.
For their part, JAMA and its member companies have expended very considerable effort in steadily improving automotive fuel efficiency and keeping the public informed of issues and developments in this regard, in order to encourage a wider use of vehicles that meet fuel economy targets. In great part as a result of such effort, we now project that the CO2 reduction targets in the Master Plan can in fact be met, and are determined to make even more significant progress in fuel efficiency in the years ahead.
The new revisions that are the focus of the Interim Report have been proposed in response to expanding energy consumption in both the consumer (commercial and residential) and transport sectors. JAMA believes, however, that the best way to achieve established goals, which reflect the steady implementation of policy measures designed to generate long-term benefits, is through concerted efforts by government, industry, and consumers. Initiatives on the part of the automobile industry will be carried out in accordance with its longstanding “PDCA” (plan/do/check/action) principle.
The contents of the government’s Interim Report are premised on the Japanese public’s keen awareness of the need to conserve energy and develop an eco-friendly society. In full acknowledgement thereof, Japan’s automobile manufacturers intend to develop and market innovative, cutting-edge products that meet the sophisticated requirements of today’s discriminating consumers.
