INTERVIEW: Environment Min. Orders Stronger Measures against Bears

Tokyo, Oct. 28 (Jiji Press)–New Japanese Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara said he has instructed his ministry to step up measures to address the growing harm to people caused by bears. “We must do our utmost, including (bear) population management and human resource development,” Ishihara said in a Monday interview, calling the matter a pressing issue. “Further strengthening of measures is essential.” The minister said that he wants to review the package of measures developed in cooperation with other ministries and agencies. He also said he has instructed officials to consider short-, medium- and long-term strategies. Meanwhile, Ishihara emphasized the importance of “proper consideration for the environment and coexistence with local communities” in the construction of renewable energy power generation facilities, such as solar panels. “We will not allow the introduction of facilities that cannot coexist with surrounding areas,” he said. The minister said he hopes to participate in the 30th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP30, this November if approved by the Diet, Japan’s parliament. “The world must work diligently on the matter, even as the United States has expressed its intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement,” an international framework to fight climate change, he said. Ishihara also expressed hope that the market for recycled plastics for automobiles will provide new opportunities to create a resource-recycling industry. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]