Koizumi meets students at Columbia University

September 26, 2019

New York--Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met with about 30 Japanese students from Columbia University on Wednesday to talk about environment policies and experiences studying abroad.

Koizumi, who himself has experience studying at the New York-based university, said that he frantically studied during his time there.

"I slept for an average of three hours," Koizumi said of his experience as a Columbia student. "I had my textbooks open from before breakfast, as if I was trying to escape from something."

"That experience gave me the will to work hard now. (This visit) gave me a fresh boost of energy," he added.

The minister also said that he aims to raise awareness of the issue of climate change in Japan.

"It is not yet a top priority issue in Japanese politics," he said. "There is a discrepancy with the rest of the world in terms of how individuals face the issue."

When asked to rate his trip by reporters after the visit to his alma mater, Koizumi said: "I want you all to rate it. I hope that (the trip) has become one opportunity for leading to a better future in Japan."

Koizumi get on the return flight to Japan on Thursday. Jiji Press