Last week, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet announced Japan would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2030, based on 2013 levels. The plan will be presented to delegates at a United Nations conference on climate change in Paris this December.

The goal is strongly supported by Japanese utilities and powerful business lobbyists, but has been slammed by domestic and international experts as falling far short of what is needed, even as Japan itself feels the impact of a warming planet.

What, exactly, does last week's announcement about reducing greenhouse gases mean for Japan?