Japanese companies including Sony Corp. and construction company Shimizu Corp. are becoming increasingly mindful of their environmental footprint and utilizing emissions trading, Nikkei Asian Review reported Aug 9.

Sony reportedly is expected to purchase credits worth about 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide, or just less than 10% of the total emissions at its domestic offices and factories for the year ending March 2021.

Shimizu, on the other hand, has achieved carbon neutrality for the year ended in March through the purchase of credits.

World Bank figures indicate that the global carbon-credit market amounted to $34 billion in 2015. Japan's contribution totaled a mere ¥46.8 billion, according to the country's Environment Ministry.