Integrating policies for combating climate change: role of the Japanese Joint Conference for the Kyoto Protocol

Multifaceted, intersectional issues, such as those dealing with climate change, require a mechanism for policy integration. To overcome interministerial conflict over the issue of climate change, Japan, on instruction from the Prime Minister, established the Joint Conference on Relevant Advisory Councils on Domestic Measures Addressing the Global Warming Issue before the 1997 Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Joint Conference helped determine the Japanese numerical target for greenhouse gas reductions proposed at the Kyoto Protocol negotiations and helped decide the direction of policies and measures for combating climate change. By reviewing the decision-making processes in the establishment and proceedings of the Joint Conference, this paper examines the roles in and effects of such a mechanism when integrating policies beyond the sectionalism of the public and private sectors. © 2000, Springer Japan.