109
previous FY (MAFF 2009).
5,6,7
Feedstocks used in domestic production vary from
edible crops (high-yielding rice, substandard flour, sugar beets, etc.) to waste materials (construction waste timber, saw mill waste, food waste, etc.). Major fuel ethanol pilot projects in Japan as of FY 2008 are listed in Table 8.7.
In contrast, biodiesel production in Japan has not been mainstreamed into the
national policy. Production of biodiesel has been mainly based on waste cooking
oil, through projects carried out by local governments or nongovernmental organizations. The total amount of biodiesel production as of March 2008 was estimated
at 10,000 kL, which was double the amount from the previous year (MAFF 2009).
A few examples of biodiesel utilization on a relatively larger scale are found in
Kyoto City, Toyama City, and Iwaki City (Fukushima Prefecture) and Shiogama
City (Miyagi Prefecture).
Sales of bioethanol-blended gasoline were started in 2007. The number of service stations retailing ETBE-blended gasoline was 1,710 as of 10 December 2010.
In contrast, the number of service stations selling E3 was 18 in Osaka Prefecture
and 6 in Kanagawa, Chiba, Ibaraki, and Aichi. Even if the Kyoto Target Achievement
Plan could be achieved, this would amount to approximately 1% of gasoline
consumption.
8
8.5.3 Socioeconomic Impacts
The Biomass Nippon Strategy envisions the socioeconomic benefits of biomass utilization would be in the areas of contribution to the creation of a sound materialcycle society, incubation of new industries, revitalization of rural economies, and
global warming mitigation. This section discusses the impacts of biofuels relating
to a sound material-cycle society, rural development, and energy security.
The promotion of biofuels derived from unutilized materials and wastes is
expected to enhance material recycling in resource-poor Japan. In fact, waste utilization has played an important role in biodiesel production in Japan through projects carried out by local governments or nongovernmental organizations to collect
waste cooking oil and mix it with diesel fuel. Projects to produce waste-based ethanol also have been launched in some areas of Japan, utilizing materials such as food
waste and waste construction timber. Data shows that there is still a significant
amount of unutilized biomass which could be converted to ethanol. However, there
are challenges related to difficulties in collection from small-scale waste generators.
In addition, especially in the case of construction waste timber, competition with
5 The exact amount of production by each company is not published.
6 The Japanese fiscal year starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.
7 Koji Okura, Deputy Director of the Biomass Policy Division, MAFF, replied to the question by
the author at the Biomass Expo 2010, 18 November 2010.
8 500,000 kL in oil equivalent is 561,797.8 kL in gasoline, and the actual gasoline consumption is
2008 was 57,473,000 kL.
8 Socioeconomic Impacts of Biofuels in East Asia
previous FY (MAFF 2009).
5,6,7
Feedstocks used in domestic production vary from
edible crops (high-yielding rice, substandard flour, sugar beets, etc.) to waste materials (construction waste timber, saw mill waste, food waste, etc.). Major fuel ethanol pilot projects in Japan as of FY 2008 are listed in Table 8.7.
In contrast, biodiesel production in Japan has not been mainstreamed into the
national policy. Production of biodiesel has been mainly based on waste cooking
oil, through projects carried out by local governments or nongovernmental organizations. The total amount of biodiesel production as of March 2008 was estimated
at 10,000 kL, which was double the amount from the previous year (MAFF 2009).
A few examples of biodiesel utilization on a relatively larger scale are found in
Kyoto City, Toyama City, and Iwaki City (Fukushima Prefecture) and Shiogama
City (Miyagi Prefecture).
Sales of bioethanol-blended gasoline were started in 2007. The number of service stations retailing ETBE-blended gasoline was 1,710 as of 10 December 2010.
In contrast, the number of service stations selling E3 was 18 in Osaka Prefecture
and 6 in Kanagawa, Chiba, Ibaraki, and Aichi. Even if the Kyoto Target Achievement
Plan could be achieved, this would amount to approximately 1% of gasoline
consumption.
8
8.5.3 Socioeconomic Impacts
The Biomass Nippon Strategy envisions the socioeconomic benefits of biomass utilization would be in the areas of contribution to the creation of a sound materialcycle society, incubation of new industries, revitalization of rural economies, and
global warming mitigation. This section discusses the impacts of biofuels relating
to a sound material-cycle society, rural development, and energy security.
The promotion of biofuels derived from unutilized materials and wastes is
expected to enhance material recycling in resource-poor Japan. In fact, waste utilization has played an important role in biodiesel production in Japan through projects carried out by local governments or nongovernmental organizations to collect
waste cooking oil and mix it with diesel fuel. Projects to produce waste-based ethanol also have been launched in some areas of Japan, utilizing materials such as food
waste and waste construction timber. Data shows that there is still a significant
amount of unutilized biomass which could be converted to ethanol. However, there
are challenges related to difficulties in collection from small-scale waste generators.
In addition, especially in the case of construction waste timber, competition with
5 The exact amount of production by each company is not published.
6 The Japanese fiscal year starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.
7 Koji Okura, Deputy Director of the Biomass Policy Division, MAFF, replied to the question by
the author at the Biomass Expo 2010, 18 November 2010.
8 500,000 kL in oil equivalent is 561,797.8 kL in gasoline, and the actual gasoline consumption is
2008 was 57,473,000 kL.
8 Socioeconomic Impacts of Biofuels in East Asia