Japan imposes carbon tax

Japan's environment ministry has proposed a new carbon tax to cut carbon dioxide emission and enable the country meet the requirements of Kyoto Protocol, a global treaty to fight climate change. Who will pay how much of the "environment tax" would vary with the kind of fuel. Processors and importers of fuels like gasoline, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas would be charged us $23.05 yen per tonne of carbon contained in them.

Japanese government indicted

Justice delayed is indeed justice denied, but in this case it will have at least some benefits. Japan's Supreme Court (SC) has held the government responsible for the spread of the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease in the 1950s and the 1960s. The court ordered the government to pay US $650,000 in damages to 37 victims.

Japan no more 'mad' at US cows

Japan might ease its total ban on us beef. It is considering granting an exemption to us cows aged 20 months or younger from testing for mad cow disease before shipping. The proposal was recently submitted by Japan's agriculture and health ministries to the government's Food Safety Commission for approval. Tokyo has been insisting on blanket testing following the detection of the first case of mad cow disease in the us in December 2003.

In the name of the people

The Saga district court, Japan, ordered a freeze on Isahaya Bay, a public works project involving massive land reclamation in southwestern Japan. Reason: the project is allegedly disrupting tides and affecting the livelihood of fisherfolk and seaweed farmers. The court decision came after 800 residents of Isahaya Bay in Nagasaki prefecture, filed a lawsuit. The government, however, has decided to contest the court ruling. It claims that there is no scientific evidence linking the project with environmental damage.

Power plant turns gas chamber

Four Japanese electricity workers were killed and seven injured when turbine steam escaped at a nuclear plant in Mihama, on the Sea of Japan. The incident, involving the highest number of fatalities at a Japanese nuclear power plant, has heightened concern about the nuclear industry.

In Court

damage control: The Tokyo District Court awarded US $458 in damages to a municipal employee over passive smoking he suffered at his workplace. This is the first such ruling in Japan. The court said the government of Edogawa Ward, one of the 23 wards that form the central Tokyo metropolis, failed to take sufficient safety precautions for the man, who had demanded around US $2,731 in damages.

Changing tack

Japan has dropped its opposition to curbs on fishing subsidies in the World Trade Organization. Environmental groups say this shift marks a breakthrough in current negotiations on the issue.

Price war

India is joining hands with China and Japan in an attempt to unite countries of the region against West Asian oil producers. The latter are charging an extra us $1 for every barrel of crude oil they sell to these countries. This is over and above the prices at which they provide oil to Western nations.

Bamboo shoot

Why do people like eating the bamboo shoot? Is it because of the medicinal value or the flavour? "Both," says Veena Arora, consultant chef at Spice Route, The Imperial, New Delhi.

Car-tech pool

Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota will now help Ford Motor Company of the us to build environment-friendly cars. Toyota, which recently overtook Ford to become the world's second largest automaker, is keen to promote its technology and expand its hybrid line-up.