Dr Yunus calls on Japan to emulate 'micro-credit'

"Micro-credit would be a very important vehicle through which they (Japan) can address their question of poverty," he told a news conference after his arrival on a six-day trip to Japan.

"We had a lot of trouble trying to bring this idea to the notice of policy makers in this country," he said, noting Japan was a major donor to the third world, according to Kyodo News.

"What makes me so happy is that finally we don't have to waste hours and days and months just to get five minutes attention," he added.

Yunus, 66, was awarded the prize on October 13 for his work at the Grameen Bank, which he set up in 1976 to provide access to credit to people too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans.

"My life is no longer the same as it was before the 13th of October, and nor is the life of micro-credit," Yunus, known as the "Banker to the Poor," was quoted as saying.

He proposed creating "social business enterprises," a new type of business that aims to do good rather than make profits, Kyodo said.

"Human beings are a much bigger creation than just money-making machines," he said.

"We can create a lot of social business enterprises, addressing social issues, poverty, empowerment, children, nutrition, the environment," he added. He said he was willing to collaborate with Japanese companies to launch such social businesses.

While in Japan, Yanus is scheduled to visit the ancient city of Kyoto and Hiroshima, which was devastated by a US atom bomb attack in the closing days of World War II and serves as a centre of the country's peace movement.

He will also hold talks with Japanese government officials and attend a symposium at the United Nations University in Tokyo.