Japan Starts First Carbon Credit Exchange in Net Zero Push (1)

Trading on Japan’s first carbon-credit exchange started Wednesday, as the nation looks to put a price on emissions to help zero them out by 2050.

The market is being run by the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and participants can trade so-called J-Credits, a locally issued unit certified by the government that is awarded to projects that reduce emissions and can be used by companies or institutions wishing to offset their own pollution. There will be J-Credits in six categories, such as renewable energy and agriculture.

Yasutoshi Nishimura during a ceremony at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Oct. 11.

Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg

Carbon credits, or offsets, have attracted criticism in recent years due to question marks ...