Japan aiming for 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions
Updated
Japan's cabinet has adopted a plan to slash carbon emissions up to 80 per cent by 2050.
The country will start with carbon trading and stepping up research on carbon-capture technologies.
The prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, told the cabinet meeting Japan must continue showing leadership on the issue of environment.
He says to lead the world, Japan must take the initiative by achieving a low-carbon society.
Japanese industry leaders, particularly steelmakers and the power industry, have strongly opposed Mr Fukuda's plan, arguing it will hurt an already weak economy.
Environmentalists say the plan is not ambitious enough as it does not set more immediate targets for the coming decade, which many scientists say is crucial to stopping the planet from heating up.
