Press Release
September 02, 2022
- Global Environment
Outcome of the US-Japan Environmental Policy Dialogue between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of the Environment, Japan
Minister of the Environment, Japan, NISHIMURA Akihiro, and Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Michael S. Regan had a high-level dialogue on environmental protection on September 2, 2022. In this dialogue, they discussed climate change and decarbonization, marine litter and circular economy, chemical management, environmental education and youth. They agreed on continued cooperation between the two countries on these subjects.
As a result of this dialogue, a joint statement was issued between the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, and EPA.
The details follow below.
As a result of this dialogue, a joint statement was issued between the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, and EPA.
The details follow below.
Date and Venue
Date: September 2, 2022
Time: 11:00-12:00
Venue: Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan
Time: 11:00-12:00
Venue: Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan
Participants
The United States
Japan
- Mr. Michael REGAN, Administrator, EPA
- Ms. Jane NISHIDA, Assistant Administrator, EPA
- Mr. Mark KASMAN, Director, Office of International and Tribal Affairs, EPA
- Mr. Tom HINES, Counselor, Economic and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Embassy Tokyo
- Mr. David Austin WESTENHOFER, Deputy Chief, Economic and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Embassy Tokyo
Japan
- NISHIMURA Akihiro, Minister of the Environment, Japan
- YAMADA Miki, State Minister of the Environment, Japan
- ONO Hiroshi, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, MOE Japan
- MATSUZAWA Yutaka, Director-General, Global Environment Bureau, MOE Japan
- SEGAWA Keiko, Deputy Director-General, Global Environment Bureau, MOE Japan
Outcome of the Meeting
Joint Statement
Summary
Minister Nishimura, MOE Japan, and Administrator Regan, U.S. EPA, had a bilateral high-level dialogue on environmental protection. The summary of the meeting is as follows:
1. Climate Change and Decarbonization
MOE Japan and EPA recognize the importance of implementing the Paris Agreement and are committed to achieve net zero by 2050. They exchanged information and views on recent major domestic policies in both countries, such as GX policies and inflation control legislation, and confirmed their cooperation in supporting local governments through the U.S.-Japan Global Local Zero Carbon Promotion Initiative, a cooperative effort between the United States and Japan. They also confirmed the cooperation in capacity building for transparency in developing countries, which will help reduce greenhouse gases such as methane and CFCs and promote the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement for global reductions.
2. Marine Litter and Circular Economy
MOE Japan and EPA will demonstrate leadership in negotiations for international frameworks, including on plastic pollution, to achieve the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, which was agreed upon in 2019.
3. Chemical Management
MOE Japan and EPA recognize the importance of PFAS management and will continue cooperation to deepen scientific knowledge in relation to PFAS regulations and countermeasures.
4. Environmental Education and Youth
MOE Japan and EPA recognize the importance of youth in promoting environmental policies and thus will promote and enhance environmental education.
