TOKYO, March 11 (Reuters) - Japan will consider extra regulatory steps such as an environment tax if the world's fifth-biggest greenhouse gas emitter finds itself in danger of missing its Kyoto protocol target, the environment minister said on Tuesday.

Ichiro Kamoshita, speaking to Reuters in an interview, said Japan planned to meet its Kyoto goal of cutting emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels over the 2008-2012 period, but that it was ready to act if the target was seen hard to meet.

"We are thinking of the need to introduce new, additional regulatory measures, or possibly, economic measures, if efforts are not going well before 2010, although for now, industries are doing their best to follow revised plans (to meet the Kyoto target)," he said.

The government earlier this year outlined additional measures for slashing greenhouse gas emissions, including deeper but voluntary cuts for industries. (Reporting by Chisa Fujioka)

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