NikkeiBP EcoManagement Forum Symposium Ends in Success

Tokyo -- October 29, 2003 -- On October 10, NikkeiBP EcoManagement Forum, a membership organization aimed at contributing to the continuing development of environment-conscious management, held at Tokyo a symposium to gather key figures from the central government, local governments, academia and leading companies of Japan to discuss crucial measures for realizing an environmentally conscious nation.

Mr. Masayasu Kitagawa, a former Mie Governor and who is currently a professor at Graduate School of Waseda University, opened the symposium to highlight the importance of local governments in taking the initiative in realizing an environmentally conscious society. Governor Yoshiki Kimura of Wakayama Prefecture, Governor Akiko Domoto of Chiba Prefecture, and Governor Hiroya Masuda of Iwate Prefecture each made enthusiastic presentations on their environmentally friendly policies of their respective prefectures. Following the speeches, Mr. Kitagawa, the three Governors, members of the Ministry of Environment and top executives of Japan's sixteen leading companies, held a heated roundtable discussion on such issues as the pressing need for deregulation for bolstering smooth promotion of the eco-conscious management.

A buffet party was held after the discussion, where Japan's Environment Minister Yuriko Koike joined the members to make a speech. She stressed that the economy and environment can be compatible and that it was vital that we promote Japan's economic development by taking heed to the environment. The party served as the platform where industry members exchanged views with the academia, local and central governments. Reports on the seminar will be carried in the December issue of Nikkei Ecology.

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