Japan Vows 25 Percent Emissions Cut By 2020

Japan's next prime minister has announced that the country will aim to slash carbon emissions by 25% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.

Democratic Party leader Yukio Hatoyama takes over as prime minister on September 16. His predecessor, Taro Aso, had previously stated that Japan was going to cut emissions by 8%. The 25% emission cut is higher than Kyoto targets of 6%.

Japan is currently the fifth-largest emitter of carbon. Japan's new government is planning on cutting emissions by emissions trading, renovating old housing, subsidising solar panels and upgrading car technology. Yukio Hatayama stated that he hopes developing countries will make an effort to reduce greenhouse gases as well.