"We intend to introduce mandatory emission quotas and a quota trading system," Tokyo Mayor Shintaro Isihara said, adding that this will be Japan's contribution to international efforts to halve greenhouse gas emissions worldwide by 2050, as proposed by Germany.
He said the quotas will primarily affect large enterprises, and encourage them to look more actively to alternative energy sources and energy-saving technologies, also helping reduce Japan's dependence on traditional energy sources.
The mayor said specific proposals would be formulated next year, and that he would like to introduce new regulations as soon as possible.
The mayor's comments come a day after United States President George W.Bush's controversial proposals for a new "global framework" on climate change.
