The Japanese government on Tuesday committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by endorsing a plan to achieve its goal of reducing emissions by more than a quarter with 15 years.

The initial plan backed Tuesday is to cut emissions by 26 percent in 2030 from 2013 levels and thereafter to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, as per a new global deal on climate change brokered at a conference on the matter in Paris in December.

"Measures to deal with global warming are a top priority issue for the Cabinet. We will do our utmost to work on the issue," Abe said during a meeting on the matter Tuesday, during which the prime minister also called for more attention to be given to the research and development of clean energy batteries.

The plan seeks to set limitations on emissions from power plants that burn fossil fuels, a mainstay while the nation's nuclear plants are offline for safety checks in the wake of the Fukushima meltdowns which were triggered by a tsunami five years ago, and private residences and office buildings will be called on to reduce power consumption and adopt eco-friendly technologies.

Prior to being approved by the Cabinet ahead of the Group of Seven industrialized nations' summit to be held here in May, the public will be polled for their opinions on Japan's energy goals.

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