October 14, 2008	Tuesday	Shawwal 14, 1429

TOKYO, Oct 13: Japan’s most powerful business lobby will change its long-held policy and call on the nation to accept more immigrants, Mainichi newspaper reported on Monday, as the world’s fastest ageing nation faces serious labour shortages.

The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), whose policy on immigration to date has been to limit foreign labourers to fixed contracts, will announce the change on Tuesday, the Mainichi newspaper said.

Keidanren officials could not immediately be reached for comment as Monday is a national holiday in Japan.—Reuters