Obama visited Japan for deeper coordination to prevent global warming

(November 17, 2009)

TOKYO, JAPAN --On his first visit to Japan as U.S. President, Barack Obama met with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on November 13 at the latter's official residence. Working together, the two prepared an agreement for a deepening of ties of cooperation in measures to mitigate global warming and prevent nuclear proliferation. In the field of clean energy, the two confirmed intentions to strengthen coordination in areas including "smart grids" (next-generation power transmission and distribution networks), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and the global expansion of peaceful utilization of nuclear energy. Toward the goal of a world without nuclear weapons, the agreement also incorporates the promotion of a new framework for cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy, including the establishment of multilateral approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle and assurance of nuclear fuel supply.

In negotiations on climate change, both countries agreed to aim for an 80% reduction of their respective emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. At the joint press conference held after the meeting, Obama emphasized that the United States and Japan were going to be involved in the development of tomorrow's clean energy. He also evinced his position of priority on curtailment of climate change.