TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japan remains committed to reducing coal-fired power generation to cut greenhouse gas emissions, new Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in a recent interview.

Japanese companies need to focus more on environmental preservation to attract investment that takes into account environmental, social and governance considerations, Koizumi said.

“It is important for the ministry to support these corporate efforts,” he said.

Koizumi showed his determination to make climate change one of the government’s priority issues.

“Japan can absolutely make contributions to the world in this field,” he said. “A future in which people say ‘Japan saved the Earth’ is possible,” he said.

The Environment Ministry will play a leading role in the fight against climate change so that “the world will pin high hopes on Japan,” he said.

He said priority should be put on ensuring safety in proceeding with the disposal of soil tainted with radioactive substances from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.’s crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.

“We want to make strong efforts on safety measures, as the amount of soil to be placed in interim storage is set to increase this fiscal year,” Koizumi said.