Japan to pledge to cut emissions to zero by 2050

Japan's government will soon commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to zero on a net basis by 2050, in a shift in its position on climate change, the Nikkei reported on Wednesday, without citing the source of its information.

Japan had previously said it would achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible in the latter half of this century, rather than set an explicit 2050 emissions target.

The new target will be announced by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, when he makes his first address to parliament next week after taking office last month, the Nikkei said.

The change in position on climate-changing emissions means Japan is catching up with the European Union, which set a target of carbon neutrality for 2050 last year, the Nikkei said.