The G8 summit starts tomorrow in Hokkaido and already the TV is full of spots emphasizing Japan’s key role in helping to save the planet. Never mind the fact that business interests (through Keidanren) have influenced the government to avoid clear CO2 targets, to pull back from any meaningful short-term action on emissions– the mood here is one of celebration.
One propaganda which seems to be part of Japanese consensus now is that conservation at home— in particular, separating trash into burnable and non-burnable bins, will go a long way in solving the global warming problem. Nothing is mentioned about emissions. Japanese have no idea about the role of auto and factory emissions in climate change, and no idea about the degree to which Japan is contributing to greenhouse gases. The information is not readily available…..but the government lacks transparency, so we shouldn’t hold our breath in waiting for such data. Any opinions that might call into question the ligitimacy of the current corporate industrial system will not be heard…..rather, greenwashing has become part of the new propaganda campaign
