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The Intellectual Property Strategic Programme (IPSP) 2007 stipulates, inter alia, that Japan would formulate "strategic programmes" for the protection of IPRs in individual fields such as environment.

One of the objectives of the system of tax incentives is to foster investment in certain equipment to address environmental concerns.

Tax credits have been introduced for energy-saving home improvements.

Several energy-saving technical requirements under the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy have been revised since 2006 with a view to reducing CO2 emissions and improving energy efficiency of designated machinery and equipment.

The Law on the Quality Control of Gasoline and Other Fuels and the Announcement that Prescribes Details of Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles were amended in 2006 to improve vehicle safety and reduce pollution emanating from motor vehicles.

In April 2007, the Task Force on the Promotion of Policies for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas headed by the Prime Minister adopted a goal-oriented policy package in accordance with the Cabinet policy objectives for agriculture, which are, among others, the establishment of the "Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)'s Strategy for Preventing Global Warming".

In accordance with the revised Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas, announced in May 2005, the Government introduced new direct payment assistance to "core farmers" who, among others, must also abide by the "agricultural environmental code" defined by the Government.

The opening and expansion of large-scale retail stores is regulated by the Law Concerning Measures by Large Scale Retail Stores for the Preservation of the Living Environment.

Under the current Three-Year Programme for Promoting Regulatory Reform, trade-related measures to be implemented include promoting unbundling of accounts in various subsectors of electric utilities and encouraging wholesale power exchange to improve energy efficiency and tackle environmental issues.

The Maldives was severely hit by Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004, which has been entailing huge losses, including costs related to the extremely high damages to the environment, top-soil and land washed away by the tidal wave.