Suga Outlines Carbon - Neutral Society By 2050

The head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, Edano Yukio, welcomed Suga's plan to realize a net zero carbon society by 2050, but he urged Suga not to boost reliance on nuclear energy in achieving the goal.

Suga said the government aims to thoroughly save energy and introduce renewable energy to a maximum to reduce the level of reliance on nuclear power as much as possible.

Suga added that achieving a carbon-neutral society by 2050 will not be easy. He stressed the importance of efforts by the energy sector, which is responsible for more than 80 percent of greenhouse gases. He said the government will pursue all options, including not only renewable energy but also nuclear power, and promised intensive debates with no foregone conclusion.

Edano also raised the issue of six scholars who were not appointed as new members of the Science Council, Japan's leading academic body. Asking whether it was Suga's own decision not to appoint them, he also asked who made the decision and on what basis.

The law governing the council calls for the prime minister to appoint new members, based on their selection and recommendation by the council.

Suga said the government's consistent view is that appointments are not necessarily required to be made exactly as recommended by the council, and the Cabinet Legislation Bureau approved this view.

He said he made the decision as a person authorized to make appointments. He said he did so, bearing in mind that a state-funded institution must have the support and understanding of the public. He also stressed the need for diversity of members, with few chosen from among younger candidates or from the private sector and also the lack of balance in terms of universities or where they came from.

Noda Seiko, Acting Secretary General of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party, said Japan's economy continues to be in a severe situation due to the coronavirus pandemic. She asked Suga how he plans to rebuild the economy.

Suga said he will promote the government's Go To campaigns, while making sure that anti-infection measures are in place, to support tourism, restaurants and events.

He also said opening the country for international travelers, which is crucial for economic revival, will be resumed in phases in a manner compatible with the prevention of new virus infections.

On diplomacy, Noda asked how Suga plans to develop relations with countries such as the United States and China.

Suga said the Japan-US alliance is the centerpiece of the country's foreign policy and national security. He pledged to deepen ties with the US in dealing with North Korea and other regional issues, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election.

Suga added that stable relations with China are very important not only for both countries but also for the region and the international community. He said Japan will say what it ought to say and will work with China on matters of shared concern.

He said he is resolved to develop trust and cooperative ties with other nations and carry out active diplomacy.