Japan registers 25% emission reduction target

Japan has registered its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from the 1990 levels by 2020 on the condition that all other major emitters join the reduction effort.

The Japanese government notified the United Nations of the goal after the Cabinet approved it on Tuesday.

The countries that took part in the UN conference in Copenhagen last December are being asked to submit their own reduction targets by the end of this month, in line with the accord agreed at the summit.

Environmental Minister Sakihito Ozawa said he wants to emphasize the attached condition because the Japanese target should not stand out from those made by other countries.

He added that the accord will lose its significance if the condition is not met.