Diet debut：Suga takes centre stage

Suga Yoshihide, Japan’s prime minister, will address the Diet today, as parliament opens its first new session since he took office on September 16th. Covid-19 will top the agenda. Though Japan has done relatively well at managing the virus, keeping the economy healthy will probably require another round of stimulus. Those extra funds may help Mr Suga’s other priorities, such as digitising government services. He is also expected to announce a plan for Japan to go carbon neutral by 2050, bringing its targets in line with those of the European Union. Opposition parties will seek to focus attention on Mr Suga’s exclusion of six scholars who have been critical of Abe Shinzo, his predecessor, from a government science-advisory body, a move some have called an assault on academic freedom. Questions remain over whether Mr Suga, a consummate behind-the-scenes operator, can handle the limelight. Today will be a big test.

the diet：国会，帝国议会（节食加个the就变国会了!）
parliament：议会
session：一场，一节，会期
relatively：相当程度上地，相当地，相对地
stimulus：促进因素，激励因素，刺激物
carbon neutrual：碳中和的，碳平衡的（指不会增加空气中的二氧化碳含量）
exclusion：排除
be critical of：对……批评的，挑剔，不满
predecessor：前任
science-advisory：科学顾问
assault：攻击，突击（向困难或危险事发起的）冲击
consummate：技艺高超的，完美的
limelight：公众注意的中心
Abe Shinzo: 安倍晋三