Japanese business leaders question U.S. withdrawal from Paris accord

Jun 03, 2017 | News On Japan

Jun 03, 2017 (Japan Today) - Japanese business leaders on Friday questioned President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement.

"The Paris Agreement is an asset to humanity. The announcement (of the United States' withdrawal) is extremely regrettable," Akio Mimura, chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in a press conference.

Mimura said the United States should "think of a way to grow the economy while protecting jobs through technological innovation and cutting greenhouse gases," pushing back against Trump's claim that the agreement places an unfair burden on U.S. companies and would hurt jobs in the country.

Mimura said he hopes the backlash against the decision from the international community and within the country would persuade Trump to change his mind and help "return the United States to a wholesome state."

Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, also known as Keidanren, said in a statement that "as leaders in eco-friendly technology, the United States and Japan must find a way to work together toward reducing greenhouse gases on a global scale."

Some worried the U.S. withdrawal from the historic accord would hold back the global shift toward stricter environmental regulations and slow growth in businesses pushing green technology.

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