Tax breaks on offer to bolster ailing Japan flag

Tokyo: Draft plans have been revealed in Tokyo that look to boost the national fleet via some tempting fiscal options. Tax breaks will be given to owners moving ships back to the domestic register.
The Japanese government plans to double the number of domestically-registered ships in the next five years.
Its Ocean Policy department has drawn up a draft Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, which also aims to increase by half the number of Japanese-crewed ships on overseas service over the next 10 years. [07/02/08]