New Japanese leader makes world debut at UN, bilateral conferences

TOKYO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada have made their world debut at the UN climate change summit and bilateral meetings with foreign leaders in New York, local media reported Wednesday.

Hatoyama pledged Tuesday at the UN summit to cut green house gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels.

In a speech at the summit, Hatoyama said that the Japanese government is determined to attain the target by mobilizing "all possible measures," including the introduction of a domestic emissions trading system and a system to buy renewable energy at fixed prices and the possible establishment of a tax to pay for steps against global warming.

The Japanese premier, however, argued that Japan will not be committed to realizing the 25 percent goal as a promise to the international community unless all major emitters agree on an ambitious target as well.

Concerning support steps for developing nations, he stressed the need to "strategically increase" the amount of funds to help those countries deal with the threat as they are often vulnerable to the repercussions of global warming.

"Japan is ready to provide the same amount of or even more financial and technological support as it has been doing," he said.

JAPAN-CHINA TIES AND EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY

Hatoyama also proposed the formation of an East Asian Community and called for China's cooperation in achieving that goal during talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday, the Daily Yumiuri reported Wednesday.

During his first one-on-one meeting with Hu, Hatoyama said that the two nations need to build mutual trust while acknowledging their differences.