Japan sets 2050 deadline for carbon neutrality

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga yesterday set a 2050 deadline for the world's third-largest economy to become carbon neutral, significantly firming up the country's climate change commitments. Delivering his first policy address since taking office, Suga placed the environment front and centre as Japan plays catch-up with climate pledges made by other major economies. Tokyo had previously only aimed to achieve carbon neutrality some time in the latter half of the century, a goal that critics called vague. But the new target was praised by activists and experts, and puts Japan on the same timeline as Europe and Britain and a decade ahead of China, which last month set a 2060 goal.