President Donald Trump’s swift rollback of climate policies during his first week in office marks a stark departure from his predecessor’s agenda. In ordering a pullout of the Paris Agreement and prioritizing fossil fuel production, the administration has declared energy dominance its central goal. While wind projects and green subsidies are on pause, permits for new oil and gas infrastructure will be fast-tracked.

In Japan, the response is mixed. METI welcomed the potential boost to LNG exports, but the announced exit from the Paris Agreement (for a second time) is a concern because the Agreement is a catalyst for international carbon accounting and trading, which Japan sees as business opportunities and vital in meeting net-zero goals.

As METI collects the last of the feedback on its next Basic Energy Plan draft, with a view of presenting a final version in February, the Trump Administration’s tone may tip the balance between energy security and climate commitments.