Lights go off in Tokyo, Hokkaido, elsewhere for G-8 summit

Lights were temporarily switched off Monday night in about 76,000 structures in Japan, ranging from Tokyo Tower in the capital to the illuminated signs on buildings in the Susukino entertainment district of Sapporo, Hokkaido. The Japanese government has designated July 7 as ''Cool Earth Day'' to coincide with the first day of the three-day Group of Eight summit in Hokkaido. The Environment Ministry estimates that turning out the lights between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the 76,000 buildings will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 475 tons. That is equivalent to the amount of CO2 emitted by about 32,800 households in a day, according to the ministry. To access full stories on Kyodo News English website, it is necessary to subscribe. Please contact Kyodo's International Department in Tokyo via e-mail at kokusai@kyodonews.jp or call... [read full story]