Japanese Ministry Backs Plan to Commercialize Indoor LED Lighting Systems

The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry in Tokyo is earmarking ¥5 billion for the development of an indoor lighting system that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs). As part of the effort, the ministry is creating a research team comprising universities and companies that will work to commercialize the system by 2005. LEDs typically serve as a source of red and green light for use in taillights and electronic billboards, but for room-lighting equipment, development of an LED that emits ultraviolet light would be necessary. The benefits of LEDs are high efficiency and a long life span compared with conventional incandescent bulbs. Ministry officials anticipate considerable energy savings when the systems are implemented.