Exclusive: Japan eased safety standards ahead of Boeing 787 rollout

[No Elephants]

By Mari Saito and Tim Kelly

TOKYO | Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:36am EST

(Reuters) - Japan's government stepped in to give Boeing Co's (BA.N) now-grounded 787 Dreamliner and its made-in-Japan technology a boost in 2008 by easing safety regulations, fast-tracking the rollout of the groundbreaking jet for Japan's biggest airlines, according to records and participants in the process.

The concessions by an advisory panel to Japan's transport ministry reflected pressure from All Nippon Airways (ANA)(9202.T) and Japan Airlines (JAL) (9201.T) and a push to support Japanese firms that supply 35 percent of the 787 from the carbon-fiber in its wings to sophisticated electrical systems and batteries used to save fuel, people involved in the deliberations told Reuters.

"I believe the request for the changes came initially from the airlines. Ultimately, it was a discussion of measures to lower operating costs for the airlines," said Masatoshi Harigae, head of aviation at Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency, one of the outside advisers who urged the eased regulatory standards.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/28/us-boeing-dreamliner-japan-idUSBRE90R05C20130128


Japan has been through so very much in recent years. But, why is it that the good of the general public is always what seems to get sacrificed first?

When agencies designed to protect the public are in the pocket of the "job creators," members of the general public need to wake up and stand up, including at the polls. Live in fear, vote in fear and you will regret it, assuming you live to regret it.

[Enthusiast]

1. Again, I agree with your take.

And "You ain't seen nothing yet" is about to come to fruition. On many fronts it looks like we will adopt a 1980s Republican agenda when it comes to consumer and worker health and safety. Because, you know, they were such good ideas and they were transformative. :puke: