FY2022 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: U.S. Study Tour and Exchange on Subnational Climate Change Action

U.S. Embassy Tokyo’s Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to organize a U.S. study tour and exchange program for Japanese local officials focused on subnational-level action in the United States to combat the climate crisis.

Program Objectives: To promote greater understanding of local subnational-level climate/clean energy initiatives in the United States, and enhance cooperation between local government officials in Japan and the United States.

The government of Japan has announced ambitious decarbonization goals for the country. Much of the implementation will fall to subnational entities. Many prefectures and municipalities have launched initiatives to help reduce reliance on carbon-based fuel, reduce harmful emissions, and promote environmental sustainability. For instance, Japan’s northernmost and largest prefecture, Hokkaido, is poised to play an outsize role in this effort through its Zero Carbon Hokkaido (ZCH) initiative. However, many involved have expressed the desire for more knowledge, training and coordination if these various initiatives are to succeed.

This project will provide a U.S. exchange program for a group of Japanese prefectural and municipal government representatives to engage with counterparts in the United States involved in combatting climate change at the sub-national level. The group would meet with state and local government officials, as well as academics and researchers, clean energy companies, forward-leaning business groups, power companies, shipping companies, financial institutions, etc. Through this program the group will gain a deeper understanding of U.S. climate change initiatives and efforts underway, to create professional networks based on common goals and interests, and to bring back new ideas and best practices for possible adoption in Japan in furtherance of Japan’s stated decarbonization and climate goals.

Deadline for Applications: April 15, 2022