NAGANO -- Adoption of more environmental economic indicators and accounting measures is necessary to keep the economy from outpacing the environment, according to proposals put forth at a recent environmental conference held in Nagano Prefecture.

These and eight other proposals are the fruits of two days of debate by participants of the Second Nordic-Japan Environmental Conference 2001.

Held on Nov. 5 and 6, the conference brought together a motley crew of businesspeople, environment experts, civil servants and academics from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Norway and Sweden to debate various environmental issues.

More than 360 people attended the meeting held under the theme "The Journey of Water -- Local Development and Environmental Problems."

Nagano Gov. Yasuo Tanaka, who rose to the prefectural helm at least partly on the wave of antidam sentiment sweeping through Japan, gave a special address to participants on the inaugural day. Later participants debated the merits and demerits of dams.

In a list released after the conference, participants put forth the 10 proposals, including reconciling economy and the environment and adopting an e-accounting system in businesses to help society keep track of all resources and understand how effectively resources are being used.

Sponsors of the event said they hope to expand the scope of the gathering to include more than the current five Nordic participants in the future.