MOE Asks for 50% Increase in Global Environment Conservation Budget Allocation

Japan's Ministry of the Environment announced on October 29, 2013, a budget request for 2,073.2 billion yen (about U.S.$21 billion) for fiscal 2014 for global environment conservation expenses. That amounts to a 7.3% increase from the previous year. The budget includes all government costs related to conservation of the global environment, pollution prevention and natural environment protection and maintenance work.

Out of the total budget requested, the budget for global environment conservation projects adds up to 730.3 billion yen (about U.S.$7.5 billion), up 48.6% from the previous year. The budget will be appropriated for global warming countermeasures such as a renewable energy promotion fund (Green New Deal Fund) and support for energy conservation. The new tax on carbon dioxide emissions introduced in October 2012 has boosted tax revenue, contributing to the budget's biggest increase in a decade.