METI Reduces Draft Budget by 31.2% to 5.6B Yen for F2010

Nonferrous metals division of Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI) reviewed a draft budget for fiscal 2010 (April 2010-March 2011) in response to the change of the governing party in Japan. METI previously set a draft budget higher than fiscal 2009 but the reviewed the draft was set at 1.73 billion yen, lower by 31.6% than fiscal 2009. The total draft budget including METI’s affiliate offices for fine ceramics, nanotechnology and material strategy, totaled 5.62 billion yen, lower by 31.2% from fiscal 2009.

METI’s nonferrous metals division set a budget for a project to develop substantial material for rare metals and reduce rare metal consumptions. Another project is to consolidate high-efficiency power transmission technology and commercialize high temperature superconducting (HTS) cables. Along the project, HTS cable demonstration and evaluation will be carried out around Tokyo. Another project targets utilization of high-purity metals for steam pipes inside power generating plants. The project will develop low-cost commercial production technology and implement endurance tests.

As to a nanotechnology field, METI will lead crossover technology development among several different industries and a research project for carbon nanotube capacitors.