The Japan Iron and Steel Federation will formally adopt a plan on the provision of the technologies at a meeting on Thursday and start talks with the Chinese side soon afterwards, the Asahi Shimbun said without citing sources.

The move stemmed from a request by a Chinese steel industry association grouping 180 companies, the national daily said.

Emissions from Chinese steelmakers have drawn concern as their production, though less energy-efficient compared with producers in developed nations, is rapidly growing.

The Japanese side is also considering using its assistance to China as a credit to help achieve its own gas-reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol, the landmark UN treaty on global warming, the Asahi said.

In a Kyoto scheme known as the Clean Development Mechanism, a country which helps a green project in a developing country can claim credits through coordination with the United Nations.

Under the treaty, which took effect last week, Japan must cut greenhouse gas emissions six percent by 2012 from the 1990 level.

However 11 of Japan's 30 industry sectors, including steel, risk failing to meet self-imposed targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions to help the country meet its, the trade ministry has said.

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