Former US Vice President Al Gore suggested that Japan's top business lobby, the Keidanren, has the potential to influence policy change on global warming by sending a strong message to its counterparts in the United States. Gore emphasized the importance of the Japanese business community's reputation and urged them to use their influence to shape opinions within the US business community. He highlighted the significance of this influence in potentially changing US policy on climate change, especially considering the US withdrawal from the Kyoto protocol. The Japanese government, as the host of the 1997 talks that created the protocol, has been urging major polluters like the United States, China, and India to do more to address climate change. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reinforced this message during his recent visit to Europe. Despite Japan's own greenhouse gas emissions increasing slightly in 2006, they are still far from their target of reducing emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels. Former Vice President Al Gore believes that Japanese businesses have a unique opportunity to lead the way in combating climate change and can inspire other companies around the world to follow suit. Gore stated that over 330 US cities have expressed their support for the Kyoto protocol, demonstrating grassroots backing for its goals. Despite being a former presidential candidate, he did not respond to media inquiries on Monday. Additionally, none of the business leaders present at the event questioned him about speculations regarding a potential return to presidential candidacy leveraging his environmental advocacy efforts.