Today's New Topics (February 5, 2007)

Press Releases

Launch of tests to confirm the interconnectability of medical information systems (summary of implementation status of IHE-J Connectathon 2006)

Since FY 2004, METI has been implementing the Project to Demonstrate the Interoperability of Medical Information Systems in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. As part of the project, an open test will be held from February 5 to 9 whereby 70 systems from 36 companies will participate in actually interconnecting their vendor systems to determine whether different systems can exchange information without problems.

Results of the government evaluation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects (Applicants: Agritech Marketing Co., Ltd., JP Steel Plantech Co.)

Applications for government approval of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects submitted to METI by Agritech Marketing Co., Ltd. and JP Steel Plantech Co. were approved on February 1, 2007 by the Liaison Committee for the Utilization of the Kyoto Mechanisms.

Solicitation of proposals for FY 2007 promotion projects for the Green Logistics Partnership

The Green Logistics Partnership Conference will solicit proposals for FY 2007 CO2 emissions reduction promotion projects to be jointly implemented by shipping and logistics companies.

Second joint meeting of the Containers & Packaging Recycling Working Group (Waste Prevention and Recycling Subcommittee, Environment Committee, Industrial Structure Council) (42nd) and the Containers & Packaging 3Rs Promotion Subcommittee (provisional name) (Committee on Waste Management and Recycling, Central Environment Council) (5th)

A bill to amend the Law to Amend the Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging was approved and enacted by the Diet on June 9, 2006, and was promulgated on June 15. In response, the above meeting was convened to identify key issues concerning a system in which businesses involved in recycling pay money to municipal governments.

Study Group on Wind Power Generation and Nature Conservation (provisional name)

Wind power generation, which allows Japan to domestically produce energy, is an excellent alternative energy source that helps tackle environmental problems such as global warming. However, there are recent concerns that establishment of wind power stations have adversely affected local landscapes and wildlife. To address such concerns, METI and the Ministry of the Environment have formed a joint study group to comprehensively discuss and ascertain the need for wind power generation and potential nature conservation problems associated with it.

Results of approvals and inspections of Monju research and development reactor in the third quarter, FY 2006

Reports were submitted to the Nuclear Safety Commission, pursuant to Article 72.3, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on the Regulation of Nuclear Source Material, Nuclear Fuel Material and Reactors, and Article 107.3, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Electricity Utilities Industry Law concerning the results of approvals and inspections of research and development reactor Monju in the third quarter of FY 2006.

Authorization of management restructuring plan of AD Kikaku CO., LTD. under the Law on Special Measures for Industrial Revitalization

The management restructuring plan pursuant to the Law on Special Measures for Industrial Revitalization was submitted by AD Kikaku CO., LTD. on January 22, 2007. The plan was consequently approved on February 5, 2007.

Status of approvals, safety inspections, and certifications concerning waste disposal facilities, specified waste management facilities, and nuclear reactor facilities (decommissioning and operation termination) (third quarter, FY 2006)

The above was reported to the Nuclear Safety Commission pursuant to Article 72.3, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on the Regulation of Nuclear Source Material, Nuclear Fuel Material and Reactors, and the results are hereby released.

Review results of safety verification report on prototype reactor Monju

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) has confirmed the validity of a safety verification report on prototype reactor Monju, which was submitted by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). Today NISA reported the results to JAEA as well as to the Nuclear Safety Commission.