Toyako Summit: A Review

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Toyako Summit A Review

• By Eric Johnston
• Deputy Editor
• The Japan Times
• Presented to
• Hokkaido International Business Association
• July 10th, 2008

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The Toyako Summit What Happened?

• G-8 Leaders agreed on long term green house gas
  emissions reductions targets of at least 50
  percent by 2050
• G-8 Leaders agreed to work to make the climate
  change conference in Copenhagen a success.
• G-8 Leaders promised Africa that it would would
  increase aid by 25 billion a year by 2010.

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Toyako Summit What Didnt Happen

• G-8 Leaders failed to commit to the specific
  recommendation by climatologists of cutting
  greenhouse gases between 25 and 40 percent by
  2020 in order to avert a global climate
  catastrophe after that.
• G-8 Leaders failed explain how they would deliver
  on their aid promises made to Africa since 2005,
  and how they would take responsibility for
  ensuring the money was accounted for.

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The Toyako Agenda

• Climate Change
• Aid to Africa
• Nuclear nonproliferation (Iran, North Korea)
• The world food crisis
• The price of oil
• Financial markets and the world economy
• Zimbabwe

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So, was the Summit a Success?

• YES say the G8 Leaders, some elements of the
  Japanese media.
• NO says practically everybody else
• TOO EARLY TO TELL say the NGOs involved with
  poverty and development issues, especially in
  Africa.
• MY OWN VIEW It was neither a success nor a
  failure.

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Basic Problems with the Outcome

• On Climate Change G-8 Leaders did not take into
  account the scientific evidence or the advice,
  presented last year by the UN, of rapid climate
  change and what the world needs to do. The
  emerging economies also failed to show political
  leadership and imagination, putting their own
  victim politics above cooperation.

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Basic Problems with the Outcome(2)

• On Africa G-8 Leaders failed to explain or take
  action on how promised aid will actually be
  delivered. They also failed to address practical
  concerns on the distribution of the aid, i.e.
  dealing with corruption and making sure it
  reaches the right people.

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Basic Problems with Outcome (3)

• There is, in effect, very little the G-8 can do
  to deal with the rising price of oil. Past
  statements have done absolutely nothing to stem
  the rise of oil prices, which are being driven by
  oil speculators.
• The G-8s energy policy promotes controversial
  fuels like biofuel and nuclear power, even as the
  leaders tacitly acknowledge biofuels are at least
  partially responsible for the current food
  crisis. They have no real answer to increased
  nuclear power leading to increased proliferation.

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Part II Hokkaido and the Toyako Summit

• Some media reports in Tokyo/Osaka said the
  economic impact of the Hokkaido summit would be
  as much as 60 billion yen which is the estimated
  total cost of the summit.
• A sense of resignation among those living in the
  Toyako area that a few would benefit but most
  would not.
• A sense of déjà vu among people in other parts of
  Japan when they heard stories about how the
  central government promised Hokkaido citizens
  that they would play and active role in the
  summit preparations, only to see Tokyo move in
  and shut out local merchants.

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Erics questions for HIBA

• Does the Hokkaido government have a Post
  Toyako plan and a budget for promoting
  international business, including trade and
  tourism. If so, is the plan being funded by
  Tokyo, or by local taxpayers?
• Is the Hokkaido Prefectural Government seriously
  committed to further development of the
  international convention and tourism industry
  here in Sapporo?

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The English Media and post-Toyako Summit Hokkaido

• Many in the English language media are wondering
  about the market potential of Hokkaido,
  post-Summit. But we have the following concerns
• 1) Is there enough of a demand among visiting
  foreign business people here in Sapporo for an
  English language paper?
• 2) How do we reach the hotels and pensions where
  foreigners are staying?
• 3) What kind of local news most interests the
  Hokkaido foreign community?

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THANK YOU!!!!!