Japan's 'venture forum' plan targets G-8 jobless problem

Staff writer

Japan will propose a package of several projects this week, including its plan to host a "Global Venture Forum" each year, to fight the unemployment problem in the Group of Seven major industrialized economies plus Russia, government officials said Tuesday.

The Japanese proposal will be made at a "Jobs Conference" of ministerial-level officials from the G-7 countries and Russia, which is scheduled for Nov. 28 and 29 in Kobe, the officials said, requesting that they not be named. The G-7 comprises the U.S., Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan. With Russia's increased participation in June at the annual G-7 summit in Denver, Colorado, the group is now being referred to as the Group of Eight.