October 22, 2004
Today, the Russian State Duma approved ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. I welcome this major step towards Russian ratification.
I look forward to smooth movement forward regarding the consideration of the Protocol by the Russian Federation Council and also to ratification of the Protocol in a timely manner. I will be following the progress on this issue.
Japan believes that the Kyoto Protocol is an extremely important step in addressing climate change. For that reason, Japan is reinforcing its domestic policies and measures in order to ensure achievement of its Kyoto reductions target.