MANILA, May 17, 2023 — Climate activists inflated giant Doraemon mascots and picketed the Japanese Embassy to challenge Japan to stop financing fossil fuels as it prepares to host the Group of 7 leaders’ summit.
Climate activists held a picket with Doraemon, a famous Japanese anime character to challenge Japan to show bold and ambitious leadership at the G7 Summit by ending financing coal and other fossil fuels, and to rapidly shift investment to renewable energy.
Photo: Leo M Sabangan
**The view of the activists does not reflect the views of the owners and creators of Doraemon. No claim is made to the exclusive right to use “Doraemon” apart from the mark as shown in the protest. No economic or commercial benefit is gained. It is purely for the exercise of freedom of expression.
Doraemon is a famous animated character dating back to the late 1960s in Japan. The climate activists replicate the story of Doraemon: Nobita Nobi’s descendant sends a robot from the 22nd century to take care of Nobita’s younger self, an honest but unambitious and slothful child, to ensure that he and his (future) descendants live a better life. Japan, in the same vein, must be reminded of their commitments to real climate action if it genuinely wants a sustainable and peaceful future for all.
“The G7, as the world’s largest economies and among the most responsible for the climate crisis, must be held accountable for the destruction that they are causing. They must stop financing and supporting fossil fuels and promote genuine climate solutions.
False solutions like gas, geoengineering, and “clean coal technology” will not address the crisis at hand. These largest economies must decarbonize, stop their destructive projects in Global South countries, and pay climate reparations!” – Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines and Peoples Rising for Climate Justice
“By taking a leadership role in climate action at the upcoming G7 summit, Japan can influence other nations to follow suit and make a meaningful impact on reducing global emissions,” said Chuck Baclagon, Regional Finance Campaigner for 350.org Asia.
As the third-largest economy in the world and Japan’s climate pledges are widely seen as highly insufficient to keep global heating below 1.5 degrees Celsius [2] , that’s why Japan has a crucial role to play in championing the charge for renewable energy to meet decarbonization targets under the Paris Agreement, Baclagon added.
Moreover, Japan ranks as the fourth largest source of institutional investments in the fossil fuel industry. Its Government Pension Investment Fund is the country’s largest investor in fossil fuel companies. The coal companies in its portfolio account for over 30% of the world’s annual thermal coal production. The coal companies in its portfolio account for over 30% of the world’s annual thermal coal production [1].
350.org Pilipinas DORAEMON PICKET AT JAPANESE EMBASSY / MAY 17, 2023.
Earlier: Climate activists held a picket with Doraemon, a famous Japanese anime character to challenge Japan to show bold and ambitious leadership at the G7 Summit by ending financing coal and other fossil fuels, and to rapidly shift investment to renewable energy. PHOTO/LEO M. SABANGAN II
“Given Japan’s technological prowess, the country is well-positioned to drive innovation in sustainable technology and help accelerate the global transition to a low-carbon economy.,” Baclagon said.
” The G7 needs to be held accountable for its legacy of climate destruction, not least in relation to its continued fossil fuel financing and military expansion. Countries like Japan have played a key role in the climate and ecological breakdown we are experiencing today in the Philippines, so we have all the right to push back against their policies and fight for a more sustainable and democratic present and future. ” – Jon Bonifacio, Spokesperson of International League of Peoples’ Struggle Environmental Commission and National Coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
As the chair of the 2023 G7 summit, Japan has an opportunity to lead the charge in addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to a more sustainable future. However, all G7 nations need to commit to climate targets and decarbonization efforts to achieve a peaceful world under 1.5 degrees and end our reliance on fossil fuels.
Other civil society groups have organized similar actions across Asia to call on the G7 to respond with both urgency and ambition to the climate crisis.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
- Investing in Climate Chaos: Fossil Fuel Investment Report https://investinginclimatechaos.org/reports#investor-countries
- Climate Action Tracker: Japan https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/japan/
- The view of the activists does not reflect the views of the owners and creators of Doraemon. No claim is made to the exclusive right to use “Doraemon” apart from the mark as shown in the protest. No economic or commercial benefit is gained. It is purely for the exercise of freedom of expression
ABOUT: 350 Pilipinas is an advocacy organization that works for climate action based on the realities of science and grounded on the principles of justice by holding creative actions calling on governments and institutions to address the climate crisis.
CONTACT:
- Nadia Cruz, Media Officer 350 Pilipinas, [email protected], +639770130207
- Chuck Baclagon, Finance Campaigner, 350.org, [email protected], +639272412743
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The Group of Seven (G7) is a powerful political force made up of the world’s largest economies, including the US, Europe and Canada. Japan is president of the group this year and this opens an opportunity for us to demand that the Japanese government stop supporting all fossil fuels immediately. They’ve been one of the worlds biggest users of coal – so we can’t let this chance just pass by. Sign the petition now and we’re sure to deliver your message at the G7 summit.