 As of September 2008, Japanese ministries and agencies were seeking an increase in the 2009 budget by 6%.The total requested comes to 491.4 billion Japanese yen (US$4.6 billion), and the focuses of research are development of the fast breeder reactor cycle, next-generation light water reactors, the Iter project, and seismic safety.A 2011 independent investigation in Japan has "revealed a long history of nuclear power companies conspiring with governments to manipulate public opinion in favour of nuclear energy".