The Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC) recently held a symposium called “The Potential for Japanese Cities to Contribute to the International Community.” ICLEI Japan supported the event by coordinating speakers. The following is a summary of key discussion points and reflections from ICLEI Japan’s perspective.

National-Local Cooperation as Japan’s Foundation

In the opening special remarks, Ms. Mimi Nameki, Director for International Strategy on Climate Change, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ) referenced the CHAMP Initiative—a government commitment to strengthening collaboration with local governments, which Japan has also signed—emphasizing that in Japan, national-local government cooperation has long been a foundational element. It was noted that partnerships between the national government and municipalities are deeply rooted in Japan’s policy approach.

National support for local climate action

Japanese municipalities receive support from the national government in the form of policy guidance manuals, scientific information on climate change, as well as various subsidies and grants. One example is the MOEJ’s grant program for Leading Decarbonization Areas, which supports local governments in creating communities where CO₂ emissions from electricity use in the residential and commercial sectors will reach net-zero by 2030.
These leading decarbonization areas are selected based on proposals submitted by the local governments themselves. Each proposal is developed in collaboration with local businesses, academic institutions, and other stakeholders, reflecting the unique characteristics and strengths of each region. Currently, 11 areas from ICLEI Japan member cities have been designated as Leading Decarbonization Areas under this initiative.
The MOEJ also promotes international collaboration through its City-to-City Collaboration Program, which provides grants to support implementation. The program promotes the decarbonization of cities in developing countries by deploying a package of solutions owned by Japanese cities and private companies. Since 2013, 56 cities and regions from 13 countries—mainly in Asia—and 23 municipalities in Japan have participated in the program.
Under this program, ICLEI Japan member cities Tokyo and Saitama have collaborated with the City of Kuala Lumpur with support from IGES. These collaborations show how international partnerships can scale up climate action and technology transfer. You can learn about the Tokyo–Kuala Lumpur case on building decarbonization here.

Challenges Ahead: Aligning Local and National Goals

At first glance, Japan appears to have made significant progress in promoting multi-level collaboration. However, what issues still need to be addressed going forward? Professor Nobuo Mimura, Specially Appointed Professor at Ibaraki University and Chair of OECC, pointed out that the key lies in how national policies and systems can be effectively aligned with the unique characteristics and goals of individual municipalities.
Regarding international engagement, he emphasized the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of the achievements and experiences of Japanese cities. He also noted the need for a broader perspective to grasp the diversity of local initiatives, particularly through analyzing the mechanisms that drive policy implementation, along with the lessons learned from both successes and failures.

Keynote: Cities as Global Actors

Mr. Matthew Bach, Regional Director of the ICLEI European Secretariat, emphasized in his keynote speech the critical role that cities must play in addressing global challenges. Some main points from his speech were the following:

• Cities should not be seen merely as implementers, but as key actors in global decision-making processes.
• International networks like ICLEI help cities share knowledge and solutions and enable them to raise their voices in global forums on pressing global issues.
• The Urban7 (U7), a coalition of cities from G7 countries, is working to ensure that the perspectives of cities are reflected in international policymaking.
• This year, the U7 Declaration— A case for Constructive Multilevel Multilateralism— was officially presented to Canada, the G7 Presidency, expressing a unified stance from cities.

In his conclusion, he highlighted the promising future of Japan–EU urban collaboration and emphasized that such partnerships can contribute to addressing global challenges.

Panel Discussion: Reflections from Japanese Cities

Building on Mr. Bach’s insights, a panel discussion was held on the topic “The Role and Contributions of Japanese Cities in the International Community,” moderated by Mr. Togo Uchida, Executive Director of ICLEI Japan.
Mr. Takaaki Itoh, Executive Director for Zero Carbon Society Promotion Department, City of Yokohama, shared insights from its longstanding partnership with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in Thailand, noting that maintaining continuity is often the most challenging part of international cooperation. Mr.Itoh highlighted how support from organizations like OECC and JICA has helped build a solid foundation for long-term collaboration.
Mr. Yoshinori Koromegawa, Assistant Director for Carbon Neutral Promotion Strategy Division, Saitama City, spoke about how engaging internationally not only raises the city’s global profile but also strengthens civic pride and encourages behavioral change among residents. Both cities stressed the importance of city networks such as ICLEI in playing a coordinating and matchmaking role when municipalities pursue international collaboration.

As the symposium demonstrated, cities are increasingly active players on the international stage. ICLEI Japan remains committed to actively supporting its member cities in international outreach, coordination, and city-to-city partnerships.