2024.04.24
Ideas and Analyses
【Public Seminar Information】The Global Climate Change Nexus：The Impact of U.S. Initiatives and Japan-U.S. Cooperation
The SPF Jaspan-US Program and the Security Studies Program hosted the Fireside Chat on Thursday, March 14th, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, featuring Mr. John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the U.S. President on International Climate Policy.
Mr. John Podesta is the founder of the Center for American Progress (CAP), a U.S. think tank, and has held key positions in both the Clinton and Obama administrations. He has been involved in climate change and environmental issues for many years.
The event was moderated by Dr. Atsushi Sunami, President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Mr. Podesta discussed a wide range of topics, including an overview of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its outcomes, Japanese investment in the U.S. clean energy sector, technology development, Japan-U.S. cooperation in climate change policies, and the necessity for dialogue between the U.S. and China.
Mr. Shinjiro Koizumi, a member of Japan's House of Representatives, also took part in the event, speaking on climate change initiatives from a security perspective, such as the utilization of renewable energy on remote islands. Mr. Yojiro Hatakeyama, Director-General of the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, discussed Japan’s GX Promotion Act (including financial support through GX Economic Transition Bonds), and the necessary measures to address the increasing demand for electricity as AI becomes more prevalent.
The video of the event (in the original language) can be viewed at the link provided below.
＊All the discussison and comments in this event are based on the views of the individual panelists and do not represent the views of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation or any other organizations that panelists belong.
Event Information
| （１）Event Date | Thursday, March 14, 2024 |
|---|---|
| （２）Panelists | John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States for International Climate Policy |
| Shinjiro Koizumi, Member of the House of Representatives (joining mid-event) | |
| Yojiro Hatakeyama, Director General, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry | |
| Moderator: Atsushi Sunami, President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation | |
| （３）Language | Japanese ／English |
| （４）Hosts | Sasakawa Peace Foudnation and U.S. Embassy in Tokyo |
Event Video (Original Language)
JOHN PODESTA Senior Advisor to the President of the United States for International Climate Policy
Podesta served as counselor to President Barack Obama, where he was responsible for coordinating the administration’s climate policy and initiatives. In 2008, he served as co-chair of President Obama’s transition team. He was a member of the U.N. Secretary General’s High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Podesta previously served as White House chief of staff to President William J. Clinton. He chaired Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president in 2016. Prior to taking the current role, Podesta served as the founder and chair of the Board of Directors for the Center for American Progress. Podesta also chaired the board of ClimateWorks Foundation and served on the Board of the Climate Jobs National Resource Center.
SHINJIRO KOIZUMI Member of the House of Representatives Former Japanease Minister of Environement
Shinjiro Koizumi was born in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1981. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Kanto Gakuin University, he obtained a master's degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in the United States in 2006. He worked as a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the United States, then served as a secretary to Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, a former prime minister of Japan, during his tenure as a member of the House of Representatives. In August 2009, he was first elected as a member of the House of Representatives and is currently serving his fifth term. He held various significant roles within the Liberal Democratic Party, including the Director of Youth Division, the Director of Agriculture and Forestry Division and the Chief Deputy Secretary-General. Subsequently, he served as the Minister of the Environment and Minister of State for Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, as well as Minister in Charge of Climate Change. He currently serves as the Chair of the Standing Committee on National Security, House of Representatives.
YOJIRO HATAKEYAMA Director General, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI)
Yojiro Hatakeyama is the Director General for the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Since entering the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in 1992, he has served on various significant positions such as Counsellor for National Strategy at the Cabinet, Executive Secretary for the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Director for Policy Planning and Coordination at the Commissioner’s Secretariat of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy and the METI Secretariat, and Director-General for Commerce and Service Industry Policy before taking his current position.
ATSUSHI SUNAMI President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation ※Moderator
Atsushi Sunami is president of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. He is also Adjunct Professor and Special Advisor to the President at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and Guest Professor at the Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation at Waseda University. In the Cabinet Office, he serves as a member of the Economic Security Legislation Council, the Basic Policy Group under the Committee on National Space Policy and chairs the Okinawa Development Council. He also serves as Chairman of the Committee for Examination and Evaluation of the Subsidy for Research and Study Projects on Diplomacy and Security in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He earned his BSFS from Georgetown University and MIA and PhD in Political Science from Columbia University.
