Public Lectures by German and French Environment Ministers

In celebration of the 2005/2006 Germany in Japan campaign, Keio University is holding a series of Germany-related events under the title “Germany in Japan @ Keio University”.

On Thursday the 28th of April, the International Center held an event entitled “Public Lectures by the German and French Environment Ministers” at the North Building hall on the Mita Campus. The German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Mr. Jürgen Trittin, and the French Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr. Serge Lepeltier, both gave lectures on the prevention of global warming.

During his lecture, Minister Trittin suggested that each country should implement stricter regulations than those required by the Kyoto Protocol. Minister Lepeltier expressed his anticipation of the Japanese automotive industry’s technological innovations, also adding that if Japan and Europe worked together to reduce energy consumption and improve productivity, even the United States would take notice. Both ministers also shared their thoughts regarding China’s efforts to prevent global warming. The lectures were a resounding success with approximately 300 people, including students and faculty members, attending the lecture and actively participating in the subsequent question and answer session.