Turning off the heat

The Environment Ministry has turned off the heating in its buildings in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, for a week from Tuesday because the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, both nationally and from its own buildings, has not been progressing as the government expected.

Vice Minister Shigeru Sumitani said at a press conference Monday: "We have our backs to the wall, so we're making a big effort. We'd like this measure to send a strong message [to other ministries and agencies]."

Read the rest of the article here.

OK, wait a minute, actually it is around 15 degrees in Tokyo this week, so this is not as brave as it seems. The end of February is a lovely time in Japan!

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