On August 31, 2024, Mr. Joji Sugawara, Vice President of Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), delivered a lecture titled “International Discussions and Developments in Japan” at an online study session hosted by the Weather Caster Network. This session was designed to deepen weathercasters’ understanding of the relationship between climate change and health and to enhance their ability to communicate this information to the public.

During his lecture, Mr. Sugawara provided insights into the latest trends in international discussions on climate change, including those at the United Nations, the G7/G20, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), and the World Health Organization (WHO). He also detailed Japan’s specific initiatives and progress in this field, including the government’s “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform,” the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH),” and the Ministry of the Environment’s “Basic Environmental Plan,” which encompass planetary health initiatives in Japan.