Current focus of the activities of the Forum is on the following three areas;

Global Warming　

Fully involved in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiation process, weacknowledge Kyoto just as a milestone onthe way to the global society in which the ultimate objective of theUNFCCC is realized. In scope beyond Kyoto, the coming activities are: 1.To explore the links between acid rain and climatechange in East Asia through an independent monitoring network; 2. To evaluate Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ) Projects in order to facilitate a climate-friendly solution to the decision on Joint Implementation that will be adopted in the end of the century; 3. To review all the policies and measures proposed to date. The methodologies of

these coming activities are: 1.All the sectors will be involved; 2. A series of workshops, study meetings, symposiums, and dialogues with the Japanese government will be held; 3. Several briefing papers, proceedings, progress reports will be published. The nature of climate change is absolutely different from those of other environmental problems, because the fear is very difficult to acknowledge. Therefore, research activities are essential to combat climate change. And also thesolution to this problem.

Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development

Holding a series of workshops/seminars, and publishing books and newletters in order to enhance public understanding on the current discussions of trade & investment liberalization, particularly inits impacts on people's livelihood and the environment both in the South and the North. Special attention is paid on the structural analyses of the on-going discussions and policy-makings at national and international trade institutions and on our alternative proposals. Current focus of the work is on WTO review of Agricultural Agreement scheduled for 1999-2000, Multilateral Agreement on Investment currently negotiated at the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and also on regional trade blocs such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Environmental Education

Holding a set of events of environmental education together with CBOs, municipalities, and the Environment Agency of Japan. The aim of these events is to facilitate citizen participation not only in implementation stage, but also in policy making process at local/national levels by providing opportunities for municipalities and residents to discuss on the mutual environmental concerns and their solutions.

Working Groups

Working Groups are also active in respective issue areas such as Energy, Consumption, Finance, Sustainable Agriculture, and Global Warming. There is also a group of businessmen participating in their private capacities, studying how to make business activities more sustainable and sound for the environment.

Structure of the Forum

20 members of the Steering Committee bear the responsibility on finance and policy direction of the Forum, and meet every month. Other member activists are responsible for their respective activity being approved by the steering committee. The Forum also has a consultative group of Board of Trustees which is comprised of Members of Parliament, academics and journalists. These members of Steering Committee, Activist Group, and a Board of Trustees meet once a year to approve programs, budget and personnel of the forum. All these activities are funded by membership fee, donations, publication sales, and grants from various foundations.