The Kyoto Protocol established firm guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions to decrease the impacts of global warming on the environment. This paper reviews Japan's approach to meeting the Kyoto targets. Japan has taken its obligations under the 1997 Protocol seriously and has brought the objectives and principles of the agreement into the daily lives of citizens, communities, corporations and government agencies. Throughout this experience, Japan's government has led by strong example, combining its own actions and promotion of self-regulation with directions to the country at large. Emphasizing fundamental changes in behaviour, the government has tried to make the whole country responsible for meeting the targets agreed to by the national government. "Green Japan" illustrates the extensive range of options available to national governments seeking to comply with this high-profile international protocol.