By Chisa Fujioka

TOKYO, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Setting targets for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions is not the only solution to global warming nor a gauge of a country's commitment in fighting it, an advisor to Japan's government said, dismissing criticism that Tokyo's leadership on the issue was too weak.

Japanese media have reported that Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will present a goal for Japan to reduce carbon emissions beyond the 2012 expiry of the Kyoto Protocol at a meeting of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland next week.

But Mutsuyoshi Nishimura, Special Advisor to the Cabinet on climate change, said only that Fukuda would present a "positive disposition" at Davos, and that even without targets, Japan was still focused on fighting global warming beyond 2012.

"A national emissions target alone is not crucial to pass judgement about the enthusiasm, interest and deep commitment (to fighting climate change)," Nishimura told Reuters in an interview.

"You really cannot say that as long as you don't have a national target, that you are not deeply committed."

At U.N.-led talks in Bali, Indonesia, last month, Japan was criticised for siding with the United States to reject a European Union-backed emissions cut target beyond 2012.

The move raised doubts among analysts over whether Japan would be able to exert leadership on the climate change issue as it sets to host the Group of Eight meetings this year.

Nishimura, however, said it was more important for countries to focus on investing in projects to boost energy efficiency, such as in developing clean coal technology, saying the battle against global warming was not a "numbers game".

HUGE COSTS

With Japan already among the world's most energy efficient countries, Nishimura said further investment into technology by Japanese industries to improve energy efficiency would cost it more than its global competitors.

"Since we have so intensely reduced our emissions and increased our energy efficiency, the next step will cost a lot to Japan," he said. "We are having difficulties in projecting further emissions targets because it's so expensive."

Steel-makers and electric power firms have baulked at European-style mandatory targets to cut emissions, doubting the fairness of any scheme and arguing that extra costs would hurt global competitiveness.

Nishimura, a veteran diplomat, said Japan was committed to meeting its Kyoto Protocol goal of cutting emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels over the 2008-2012 period.

Japan is the world's fifth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, behind the United States, China, India and Russia.

A government panel said in December that Japan would be able to cut as much greenhouse gas emissions as it promised under the Kyoto pact if additional measures, such as extra voluntary agreements with industries, are carried out.

Of the top five producers of greenhouse gases, only Japan is under pressure to meet a Kyoto target.

Nishimura said developed countries needed to recognise their long history of unrestricted energy use, although the involvement of all major emitters, including developing countries, was key for any post-Kyoto framework.

"We are taking the lead but now we are arguing to China, India and other countries 'you must now do your part as well'," he said. (Editing by Bill Tarrant)

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