Starting in 1987, MITI moved to establish two marine biotechnology laboratories that were to seek out new pharmaceuticals and anti-fouling agents from marine organisms. Local governments in and near Kansai Science City, where RITE will be located, are donating the land and contributing millions of yen toward its construction. A chief mission of RITE is carbon dioxide control. Scientists working there, like their colleagues at the marine laboratories, will try biological approaches to the problem. They'll also investigate chemical processes for absorbing CO2 and will be developing environmentally safe substitutes for the ozone-destroying but useful chlorofluorocarbons.
Biodegradable plastics are also intended products of their research.
The support does indeed seem strong, and isn't limited to the huge programs on MITI's agenda. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, for example, also has industrial support for research on biological agents to absorb carbon dioxide. The top scientists engaged in this newly important effort all know one another and all sit on committees judging the research proposals. Rather than cutthroat competition, this leads to collaboration and a leaning toward studies that complement one another. It looks as if it may be possible both to serve the earth and make a profit.