Money to burn

Interfax reports that the Japanese government will invest $4.5 million in a thermal power plant in Armenia. Interestingly, this will involve the incineration of waste, no doubt using Japanese technology. These power plants are ubiquitous in Japan, dotting the skyline of large cities and producing enough energy to power whole neighbourhoods.

However, there is cause for concern. Japan uses such aid programs to promote the sale of its technology overseas. This is common enough with foreign aid, just witness the US insistence that African countries accept genetically modified maize.
Corpwatch has a story saying that since public concern over such incinerators at home in Japan has destroyed the market for new incinerators, they are looking to use public funds to promote the sourcing of new markets overseas.

Greenpeace claims that studies show Japanese people carry some of the highest levels of life threatening chemicals such as dioxins in their bodies as a result of the widespread, but now discouraged practice of incineration.

Ayako Sekine, Greenpeace Japan toxic campaigner currently in Thailand, said, "It is ironic that after polluting Japan, Japanese incinerator companies supported by the Japanese government are taking their toxic trade to poorer Asian nations like Thailand. Japan should be assisting Thailand to move towards progressive waste reduction, segregation and recycling programs."

Posted by Matt on June 15, 2004 | TrackBack | Email to a friend