Industry minister Takeo Hiranuma released his comments Monday on a draft environmental assessment by the organizer of the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture, in which he calls for further review on several points.

The comments, delivered to the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition, include a suggestion that steps be taken to restrict the impact on rare plants near a gondola facility to be built to link two exposition sites.

Following the comments by the economy, trade and industry minister and earlier comments by Environment Minister Hiroshi Ohki, the organizer will finalize its environmental assessment report by the end of this month, paving the way for the sites' construction to begin in autumn.

The March 25-Sept. 25, 2005 event will be held at two places in Aichi Prefecture — a park in the town of Nagakute, about 15 km east of Nagoya, and the Kaisho forest in the city of Seto, north of Nagakute.

Hiranuma also called on the association to utilize cutting-edge energy and recycling technologies to further reduce the environmental burden so the event complies with its theme of "nature's wisdom."

Also among Hiranuma's requests are a call on the organizer to study the ecology of goshawks and other rare birds, whose existence is threatened by the expo construction, according to environmental groups, and to take appropriate conservation measures.

Environment Minister Ohki on May 28 delivered his comments, featuring calls on the organizer to further review the possible impact of noise to be caused by the event and to take more steps to reduce waste disposal.