TOKYO — Aug. 24, 2015 — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy met with Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ) Minister Yoshio Mochizuki about environmental collaboration, according to a press release.
The U.S. and Japan have worked together on environmental topics for 40 years, noted the release, through the 1975 Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection. The meeting reached several conclusions.
The EPA and MOEJ will further the work of the Minimata Convention on Mercury, aimed at managing the risk of mercury in its lifecycle, stated the release. They will improve mercury monitoring and develop partner countries in Asia to assist in the effort.
The two agencies also discussed climate change, regional air quality management, environmental education and children’s environmental health, reported the release. Through the Integrated Programme for Better Air Quality, cities can use tools from the Cities Clean Air Partnership, and vice versa.
The EPA and MOEJ will continue to cooperate on safety and security efforts related to the Fukushima Daaichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, shared the release. They will also "share concepts, challenges and good practices on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Asia."
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