NHK, TV Asahi, and Fuji TV reported that Environment Minister Koizumi commented at a regular press briefing this morning on the Trump administration’s official notification to the UN that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. Koizumi reportedly said that it is very disappointing that the world’s second largest carbon dioxide emitter is withdrawing from the pact because achieving a decarbonized society is a pressing challenge for the world. Koizumi reportedly added that it would probably be impossible to urge President Trump to reverse his decision and that Japan will continue its efforts to tackle climate change regardless of the U.S. withdrawal.