Japan Times: Prior to the Toyako Group of Eight summit in July 2008, Japan adopted a long-range goal of cutting greenhouse-gas emissions by 60 to 80 percent by 2050 from the current level. But compared with other major developed countries, Japan has been slow in deciding on a midrange reduction goal. The European Union has announced a plan to reduce emissions by 20 to 30 percent from the 1990 level by 2020. U.S. President Barack Obama proposed during his campaign that his country reduce emissions …