Japan's Ministry of Land gave the Yamazaki Mazak Optonics Corp.'s Phoenix Laboratory its highest award, the Land Infrastructure and Transportation's Grand Prix for effective land use.

The award is given after an evaluation of land use, blending in with natural surroundings and environmental impact.

The Ministry, a branch of Japan's government, cited the Phoenix Laboratory for being ecologically friendly. It noted that the facility reduces the emissions of carbon dioxide by using geothermal heating and cooling, that it uses land effectively because it is built 36 feet below ground, and that it blends into its natural surrounds because 48 percent of its surface area is covered by grass.

The company received the award Oct. 30 in Tokyo.