European Union (EU) Ambassador to Japan Jean-Eric Paquet attended a meeting of the Japan Designated Cities Mayors Association held in Tokyo on 20 November for a constructive exchange of views on climate change initiatives undertaken by top officials at some of the nation’s biggest cities.

The association brings together the mayors of Japan’s 20 ‘designated cities’: municipalities designated by government ordinance based on population and granted greater authority over their affairs.

During the meeting, Ambassador Paquet explained about the Missions on climate-neutral and smart cities currently being undertaken through the EU’s research and innovation funding programme Horizon Europe. In response, Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto outlined Japan’s ‘Decarbonisation Leading Areas’ initiative, while Saitama Mayor Hayato Shimizu cited examples of the ‘zero-carbon city’ actions taken by his city. 

Ambassador Paquet remarked, ‘Learning from these efforts at the municipal level in Japan, I hope that today's discussions will lead to further cooperation between Japan and the EU (on climate action) at the city level.’