PAJ to discuss global warming plan

A policy board at the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) has been tasked with starting in-depth discussions on greenhouse-gas mitigation by the industry, according to Akihiko Tenbo, chairman of the industry body and representative director of Idemitsu Kosan. Tenbo expressed concerns about the government’s revised taxation for Fiscal 2010 whereby the provisional gasoline tax will be suspended when the market price for gasoline exceeds a specified threshold, saying “It requires tons and tons of paperwork, leading to confusion at points of sales.” He added, “Some government officials are claiming that the new step is valid only one year before the introduction of an environmental tax, but I hope legislators should discuss the matter based on good understanding of the actual oil business.” (January 26, 2010)