Japan takes step back from emissions target

Japan has drastically scaled back its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, possibly complicating efforts to forge a global climate change pact.

The new target approved by the Cabinet on Friday calls for reducing emissions by 3.8% from their 2005 level by 2020. The revision was necessary because the earlier goal of a 25% reduction from the 1990 level was unrealistic, the chief government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, told reporters in Tokyo.