7 April, Tokyo, Japan – In response to the Japanese government’s declaring a state of emergency, Greenpeace Japan has issued the following statement:

Sam Annesley, Executive Director of Greenpeace Japan

“We express our sincerest hope for the speedy recovery of those suffering from this illness and our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones as a result of COVID-19.

The world is at an important crossroads, where we must reconsider the relationship between our economies, people, and nature. The Japanese Government must first attend to protecting lives and livelihoods, but it should not use the coronavirus pandemic to deprioritise tackling the climate crisis. While the COVID-19 crisis is an immediate emergency that needs to be solved, the climate crisis continues to pose an existential threat to all life on earth. 

Public health and our environment are closely related. As we face an unprecedented global recession, it is vital that the Government’s countermeasures promote a transition to a sustainable economy and society that does not exacerbate the climate crisis. The climate crisis increases the risk of unknown viruses being born and spread, as many experts have already pointed out. 

The Government must immediately protect our health, but it should also prepare an economic stimulus package that addresses the climate emergency and destruction of the environment. Fiscal policies must stop supporting the fossil fuel industries which advance the climate crisis, natural disasters and climate-related diseases. A green restructuring of the economy would create jobs, stabilise the economy, and improve lives for generations to come. Greenpeace announced a stimulus package proposal to help transition Japan to a more sustainable society and economy on 3 April. *1

The people of Japan are resilient. We are accustomed to helping each other overcome natural disasters. I am confident that we can tackle this COVID crisis while transforming Japan into a more sustainable economy and society.”

ENDS

*1 Greenpeace Japan’s proposal regarding Japanese Fiscal Stimulus Package (3 April 2020)
https://www.greenpeace.org/japan/sustainable/press-release/2020/04/03/12947/