Japan Draws Up Plan To Go Carbon-neutral By 2050

Japan draws up plan to go carbon-neutral by 2050

The Japanese government has come up with a concrete action plan to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.

The Committee on the Growth Strategy adopted the plan on Friday. It says measures to deal with climate change are not a costly impediment for the economy but an opportunity for new growth.

Innovative Carbon Fiber Wheelchair Wins $1 Million Prize From Toyota

Innovative carbon fiber wheelchair wins $1 million prize from Toyota

Toyota Mobility announced a prize money winner in its international mobility competition that challenged people around the world to come up with solutions to improve the lives of folks with lower limb paralysis. Finalists from Japan, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S. were considered, but Phoenix Instinct from the U.K. ended up walking away with the $1 million prize money.

The winning product? An ultra-light carbon fiber wheelchair with some innovative features. It's called the Phoenix Instinct, and it aims to advance the generally stagnant wheelchair technology industry to make it easier and safer to use. The wheelchair uses a leveling system to automatically adjust its center of gravity and make it more stable/easier to maneuver. A power assist feature is implemented on the front wheels in an effort to reduce vibrations through the body. Finally, it uses an intelligent power braking system that can automatically detect when you're going downhill, then adjust the wheelchair's speed and manage its descent. 

Suga Sets Out $19 Bil. Carbon Neutrality Fund

Suga sets out $19 bil. carbon neutrality fund

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the government will establish a fund of 2 trillion yen, or over 19 billion dollars, to reduce the nation's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

He made the announcement at a news conference on Friday.

Japan Experts Start Work On Carbon-neutral Roadmap

Japan experts start work on carbon-neutral roadmap

Members of a Japanese government panel met for the first time on Wednesday to study ways to achieve ambitious greenhouse gas targets. The experts discussed how to take the country to net zero emissions by 2050.

The panel aims to set numeric targets for technological development, and ways to support companies that get involved. Cabinet ministers who took part in the meeting said innovation will be crucial to reaching the government's gas reduction target.

Suga Outlines Carbon-neutral Society By 2050

Suga outlines carbon-neutral society by 2050

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has pledged to pursue all options for Japan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

In the Lower House of the Diet on Wednesday, lawmakers asked Suga about his policy speech on Monday.

Suga Informs Un Chief Of Carbon-neutral Goal

Suga informs UN chief of carbon-neutral goal

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has notified UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that his government will aim to achieve a carbon-neutral society by 2050.

Suga spoke to the head of the global body on the phone on Tuesday and explained that he announced the goal in his policy speech in the Diet the previous day.