Suga pledges carbon neutral Japan by 2050

Japanese PM also prioritises reviving a pandemic-hit economy

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga set an ambitious target for his country to become carbon neutral by 2050 in his first policy speech to parliament since taking office as premier last month.

The 71-year-old, who was installed by Japan’s ruling party after long-term leader Shinzo Abe stepped down over health concerns, also prioritised reviving a pandemic-hit economy and pushed ahead with plans that include building an international financial centre in Japan, he said in comments to start a special session of parliament.