A majority (77.7 percent) of the Japanese public responds favorably to the idea of an environmental tax to be imposed on fossil fuels in the fight against global warming, the Ministry of the Environment reported on December 5, 2005. This announcement was based on the results of a questionnaire survey taken via the Internet between November 28 and December 1, 2005. A total of 1,442 people aged at 20 or over answered two questions.

The first question concerned the idea of an anti-global warming environmental tax that would be geared to the amount of CO2 emitted and paid by all citizens. Results show that 13.5 percent of the respondents approved, 52.4 percent were somewhat in favor, 18 percent were somewhat opposed and 7.8 percent were opposed to the idea, while 8.4 percent said they were unsure, meaning that the majority of the respondents (65.9 percent) had positive views about this kind of environmental tax.

The second question explored the acceptability of an environmental tax proposal in view of several points: The amount of tax amount per household per month would be equivalent to the price of a cup of coffee (180 yen). Collecting even such a small amount of tax from households and companies could support, for example, improvement of 5.2 million hectares of forest, 500,000 solar power plants, 1,820 wind generators, 900,000 eco-friendly houses, 33,000 eco-friendly buildings or 35,000 low emission vehicles.
(The figure for forest improvement indicates the area of forest to be improved by 2010 and other items indicate the number to be added yearly.)

In answer to the second question, 26.6 percent of the respondents said they were receptive, 51.1 percent somewhat receptive, 5.7 percent not receptive, and 4.9 percent said they were unsure. A majority of the respondents (77.7 percent) responded favorably, showing their concern for the environment.