P.M. BRIEFING : Charles Urges Japan to Conserve

TOKYO — Britain’s Prince Charles urged Japanese businessmen today to set an example to industry worldwide by becoming “world-friendly” and more sensitive to the risks of exhausting scarce natural resources.

He said overseas activity of big business in such sensitive areas as the tropical rain forests, the oceans and developing countries has become a legitimate concern of customers, employees and suppliers as well as shareholders.

The prince told leaders of Japan’s most powerful corporations that big business should develop an international commitment to good corporate citizenship “firmly based on the principles of sustainable economic development.”

“In the great peaceful postwar resurgence of Japan’s industry, Japan has led the world in the concept of ‘user- friendly’ products,” he said. “What we need now is an extension of this concept to the world around us.”