The Environment Ministry will levy an environment tax even if the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on global warming does not take effect on time, according to Vice Environment Minister Masaharu Nakagawa.
"We must make efforts to curb global warming even if the protocol does not come into effect next year," Nakagawa said.
The ministry plans to introduce the environment tax in fiscal 2005 if necessary to carry out the nation's commitments under the protocol.
Japan is required to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.
The pact is expected to become effective before the end of this year, but some authorities have voiced concern over Russia's delay in approving the ratification process.
The pact, adopted in the city of Kyoto, will enter into force 90 days after Russia's ratification -- having being ratified by 55 states representing 55 percent of industrialized countries' carbon dioxide emissions in 1990.