Japan coal-fired plant exports hit US resistance

Tokyo

THE United States has challenged the Japanese government over moves to ramp up exports of coal-fired power technology and to offer cheap loans to lure buyers, according to a US source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Japan's shipments of the equipment soared to nearly US$8 billion last year as it looks to boost infrastructure exports, defying US calls for developed nations to stop investment in foreign coal projects to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

While the issue is unlikely to blow up into a major dispu…