"The emerging global view that CO2 emissions are a liability will assure an international competitive edge to Japanese technology related to energy conservation and the environment, which boasts top levels of energy efficiency, " Fukuda told the Japan National Press Club in early June.

FORBES: Japan's Green Gold Mine

Moreover, while most of the original claims were filed under product-liability clauses, where liabilities are capped, the later claims are being filed under general work-environment clauses, which impose no limit on awards.

ECONOMIST: Unpleasant stuff | The