Tokyo - The Japanese government was expected to provide 2 billion dollars in yen loans to Bangladesh, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam over the next two years to support their efforts to combat global warming, media reports said Wednesday. Prime Minister Taro Aso was to announce the aid later in the day along with Tokyo's target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012, Jiji Press said.
The loans are part of 10-billion-dollar Cool Earth Partnership, initiated by former premier Yasuo Fukuda in January 2008.
Half of the aid is set for low-interest loans to help developing nations, especially in South-East Asia, to preserve forests, prevent droughts and floods and implement measures to counter the changing global climate.
Japan is hoping to get its Asian neighbours to support its position in UN negotiations to set a new emissions target after the Kyoto Protocol expires, Jiji said.
