ニュース 2009/12/17 Hatoyama expresses resolution regarding COP15 meeting On December 17, Prime Minister and DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama spoke to reporters regarding his attendance at the COP15 conference in Copenhagen, saying, “I would like to do my best to participate in the belief that we must come to an agreement from the perspective both of individual national interest and of global interest.” He added, “Japan has been given a big chance to exert leadership. I intend to participate in the belief that we can definitely succeed.” Hatoyama was asked what Japan’s response would be were the Kyoto Protocol, which only places obligations on Japan and the EU, were to be extended, excluding the world’s largest emitters of CO2, the United States and China, and leaving them with emission targets that have no binding power. He responded, “With the US and China reluctant to make a decision, we must make sure that Japan is not alone [in making a commitment]. A degree of resolution with be needed to come to an agreement, and I would like to engage in the conference with this resolution.” Following this, Hatoyama commented on the possibility that the DPJ’s manifesto for the recent general election would be amended following a petition issued by the DPJ and the other coalition parties regarding the main points of the budget for fiscal 2010. He said, “The basics [outlined in the manifesto] are important from the perspective of their being basics, and it is essential for us to remember this when we are taking action,” but went on to say, “It is vital to respond flexibly to the feelings of the people and changes in the economic situation, and it is politics that is called upon to take this role.” Hatoyama further stated, “The secret of politics lies in achieving smooth running of the administration. What is important is to protect people’s livelihoods, and it is for that reason that we are carrying out a budget review.” He added that he intended to carry out the final arrangements leading to completion of the budget review process within the year, while lending an ear to the requests from the DPJ and the other coalition parties which are a reflection of the “voice of the people”. Hatoyama emphasized that with regard to policies such as placing an income cap on the child allowance and the abolition of the provisional tax on gasoline, “We will make a decision that values the feelings of the people.”