In Batang, Central Java, Indonesia, there are plans to build the largest coal-fired power plant (2,000 MW) in Southeast Asia. Currently, the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is considering to fund 60% (over 400 billion yen) of this plant’s construction using public funds and tax payers’ money. However, locals affected by the project have repeatedly protested as a coal plant would have serious impacts on their health as well as on their fertile agricultural land and coastal areas that they depend on for their livelihoods. In an attempt to suppress local protests, the local army and police have taken violent action against the local community, even resulting in injury for some. Local authorities have gone as far as making an example of community leaders by portraying them as criminals, thus violating their human rights. One by one, international institutions, several European nations and the US have announced that they have either ended support for coal financing or have tightened regulations as a way to curb the dangerous effects of climate change. However, JBIC continues to maintain its position as the world’s largest public financier of coal-fired power plants despite pleas from around the world for the financial institution to part ways with coal. This seminar will feature locals directly affected by the Batang coal-fired power plant project as well as an Indonesian NGO representative. They will give an update on concerns regarding the coal project, what they have been doing and Indonesia’s climate change measures. We will also take a closer look at the Japanese government and companies’ push for coal-fired power plant export policies. We look forward to seeing you there! Date: September 8th, 2014 (Monday) 6:30pm – 9pm (doors open at 6:00pm) Venue: Shufu Rengo Kai (Conference Room, 3F), near Yotsuya station (Metro Namboku/Marunouchi, JR Chuo) Map: http://shufuren.net/wordpress/seminar/?page_id=725 Address: 6-15 Chiyoda ward, Tokyo 102-0085 Program: 1. The Batang coal-fired power plant and Japan’s involvement 2. Report from locals: The Batang coal-fired power plant project (consecutive interpretation)
- Concerns of landowners and farmers: land negotiations and human rights violations
- Concerns of fishers and problems from the lack of consultation
- Protest movement by locals
- Legal problems with the project
3. Indonesia’s energy problems and climate change measures 4. JBIC policies and the Japanese government: Japan continues to support coal while the world tightens regulations, ends coal power plant projects 5. Q&A Session / Open Forum Admission: 500 yen (If you are a member of one of the host NGOs, entrance is free) Registration: Please use this form to register. (Note: Form is in Japanese. If you have difficulty registering, please contact us.) Inquiries can be directed to Hozue Hatae or Yuri Onodera of Friends of the Earth Japan Email: hatae@foejapan.org Phone: 03-6907-7217 (after August 27th please call 03-6909-5983) Hosted by: Network for Indonesian Democracy (NINDJA), Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES), Kiko Network, Friends of the Earth Japan Supported by: Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC), A SEED Japan, Oxfam Japan, Greenpeace Japan, Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN) Call for donations: To help cover the costs of our Indonesian guests’ stay in Japan, we welcome donations of any amount. We can accept money transfers via Japan Post or through a Japanese bank. 1) Japan Post money transfer Account number: 00130-2-68026 Account name: FoE Japan Note: Please use the form provided by Japan Post and write “donation (Indonesian guests’ stay in Japan)” in the remarks section along with your name and address. 2) Bank transfer Bank: The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Branch: Meijiro Regular account No. 3932089エフ・オー・イー・ジャパン Note: Please contact us (hatae@foejapan.org) to confirm that your donation was transferred successfully. We thank you in advance for your contribution!
