The 2000 white paper on the environment released Tuesday called for the introduction of an environment tax so Japan can more vigorously combat global warming and waste dumping, government officials said.
Because global warming threatens the existence of human life, government, citizens and industries should adjust their fundamental attitudes toward attaining a sustainable society, the report says.
Some European countries have already introduced measures such as taxes on gasoline and fuel oil to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and granting subsidies and tax breaks for energy-saving devices, it adds.