METI to Secure 57.23 B Yen Nonferrous Metal Budget for F2011

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s nonferrous metals division secured 57.23 billion yen of budget for fiscal 2011 starting April 2011 including additional budget for fiscal 2010 compared with 5.21 billion yen for fiscal 2010, according to budget draft approved by the cabinet on Friday. The division secures 12.742 billion yen including 12 billion yen of additional budget for fiscal 2010 for technology development of alternative materials and consumption reduction of rare earth. The division secures 54.7 billion yen of rare earth and rare metal related budget including subsidy for capital expenditure in rare earth consuming industry compared with 1.245 billion yen for fiscal 2010.

The division secures 1.674 billion yen of nano-technology related budget and 490 million yen of fine ceramics related budget for fiscal 2011 compared with 3.03 billion yen and 444 million yen respectively for fiscal 2010.

The division supports rare metal and rare earth using industry to introduce facility to reduce the metal consumption and use alternative materials along with recycling facility. The division tries to support domestic industry to secure rare metal and rare earth under tight supply.

The division secures 301 million yen for technology development of nano-electronics semiconductor substrate and device for fiscal 2011 compared with 233 million yen for fiscal 2010. The division also secures 310 million yen for technology development to develop energy saving ceramics making process and 126 million yen for development of new heat insulation multi ceramics film for fiscal 2011 compared with 168 million yen and 126 million yen respectively for fiscal 2010.