The Construction Ministry and the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry in Japan are to form a joint research committee to examine the use of rice paddies and forests to deal with flooding and droughts, it was learned Tuesday. The ministries have conducted separate research on the use of paddies and forests, so-called green dams, but had not to collaborate on the issue. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry supports the use of farmland to store water, while the Construction Ministry is concerned such a measure may increase opposition to dam construction.