Japan investing in U.K. green technology

TOKYO, May 31 (UPI) -- In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe, Japanese investment in British green industries is surging in a "new wave," analysts say.

The investment comes in the wake of the first wave of investments into Britain's automobile and electronics sectors beginning in the 1980s, Kyodo news agency reported Tuesday.

Nissan will build its new Leaf electric in its Sunderland factory in Britain's northeast beginning in 2013, while Toyota's Auris Hybrid will be manufactured in the English Midlands.

Furthering Japan's interest in developing British "green' technologies, Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe Ltd. intends to invest $163 million in a research and development facility for a new generation of wind turbines in Scotland.

British company Asia-Pacific Technology Network Chief Executive Officer Louis Turner said: "I think the mixing of Japanese cutting-edge technology in areas like electrical vehicles and wind turbine technologies, with Britain's clear determination to develop a lead position in clean technologies, is potentially a second wave of positive impact from Japan on the British system. If the Nissan Leaf works, it is really going to flag Britain as the lead economy in this sort of area."