Japan's public and private sectors will need to invest a total of 150 trillion yen ($1.2 trillion) in decarbonisation over the next 10 years to help achieve the nation's ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, the industry ministry said on Friday.

The estimate was unveiled as part of an interim report on the country's clean energy strategy which is expected to be finalised later this year.

"A great competition has already begun in which first movers have an advantage in the decarbonisation area," Koichi Hagiuda, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, told a panel of specialists which has been discussing the strategy.

Guest post from Reuters