Japan is preparing for the test-run from next January of an emissions-trading market designed to combat global warming.
Environment Ministry sources said the plan will be conducted with the Mie prefectural government and will incorporate about 30 companies. The initiative will allow the ministry to observe such a market before establishing a national market in 2005 or later, the sources said.
Strong opposition to the market remains among business groups, such as the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), over fears that the trading regime will restrict corporate activities.