Japan, Us Agree To Step Up Cooperation In Climate Issues
Top environment officials of Japan and the United States have reaffirmed that they will work to strengthen the countries' cooperation in tackling climate change and other issues.
The head of the US Environmental Protection Agency, Michael Regan, visited Japan and met Japanese Environment Minister Nishimura Akihiro on Friday.
The officials reaffirmed that Japan and the US will step up action ahead of the COP27 UN climate change conference to be held in Egypt in November.
They also agreed to work closely on international negotiations for reducing plastic ocean pollution.
After the talks, Nishimura told reporters that the two countries want to lead global discussions on the issues.
Regan expressed hope for their "continued international, regional and bilateral cooperation" to protect the environment.
Before the meeting, Regan and Nishimura met young people from Fukushima Prefecture who spoke about their experience of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, which triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
The youths also briefed the two on the current management of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and soil decontamination work.
Regan told them that the US has not forgotten the people of Fukushima, and that what they have been doing to rebuild and revitalize communities is an inspiration.