111
other uses has intensified as the wood chip market has experienced drastic fluctuations due to an increase in demand for biomass energy and a reduction in supply of
construction waste timber due to stagnation in the construction market (Matsumoto
and Sano 2011).
The effects of biofuel crop production on rural development would depend on
which crops are cultivated in the future and the location where they are planted. In
2005, the area of “abandoned cultivated lands” (lands which are no longer being
cultivated) was 386,000 ha, which is equivalent to 9.7% of total cultivated land (the
sum of cultivated lands under management and abandoned cultivated lands) (Saigo
2008). Utilization of such abandoned cultivated lands as well as marginal lands
could bring opportunities for rural development.
9
The potential of biofuels to improve energy security seems very limited. In 2011,
Japan’s production target was much smaller than its introduction target. For example, for FY 2011, the government aimed to increase biofuel production up to
50,000 kL (30,000 kL of oil equivalent from both bioethanol and biodiesel).
10
According to the roadmap to achieve the Basic Energy Plan, the targeted amount of
bioethanol introduction for that year was 210,000 kL in crude oil equivalent. This
indicates that even if the Japanese producers could successfully achieve the targeted
level of production, it is far short of the targeted level of introduction, and the rest
would need to be imported. It could be argued that biofuel imports might contribute
to energy security by diversifying the energy sources and supplying countries, considering the fact that about half of Japan’s total energy supply comes from imported
oil, of which almost 90% is imported from the Middle East, and that the transport
sector is almost entirely dependent on oil. However, potential suppliers of bioethanol are limited to a few countries, and Brazil is currently regarded as the only country with the potential capability to export significant quantities in a stable manner.
In addition, when the GHG reduction potential is considered, Brazil is the only
foreign supplier which could have some possibility to reduce GHG emissions by
more than 50%.
8.5.4 Stakeholder Perspectives
8.5.4.1 Government
As biofuels encompass several different policy areas, including agriculture, energy,
industry, and environment, various government ministries have introduced related
national strategies, plans, and policies. For example, the Biomass Nippon Strategy
9 For example, there is a rural revitalization project in Ibaraki Prefecture involving the cultivation
of sweet sorghum in abandoned agricultural land to produce bioethanol.
10 Specified in the roadmap entitled the “Large-Scale Expansion of Domestic Biofuel Production”
(Kokusan Baionenryo no Ohaba na Seisan Kakudai) (Biomass Nippon Strategy Promotion
Committee 2007).
8 Socioeconomic Impacts of Biofuels in East Asia
other uses has intensified as the wood chip market has experienced drastic fluctuations due to an increase in demand for biomass energy and a reduction in supply of
construction waste timber due to stagnation in the construction market (Matsumoto
and Sano 2011).
The effects of biofuel crop production on rural development would depend on
which crops are cultivated in the future and the location where they are planted. In
2005, the area of “abandoned cultivated lands” (lands which are no longer being
cultivated) was 386,000 ha, which is equivalent to 9.7% of total cultivated land (the
sum of cultivated lands under management and abandoned cultivated lands) (Saigo
2008). Utilization of such abandoned cultivated lands as well as marginal lands
could bring opportunities for rural development.
9
The potential of biofuels to improve energy security seems very limited. In 2011,
Japan’s production target was much smaller than its introduction target. For example, for FY 2011, the government aimed to increase biofuel production up to
50,000 kL (30,000 kL of oil equivalent from both bioethanol and biodiesel).
10
According to the roadmap to achieve the Basic Energy Plan, the targeted amount of
bioethanol introduction for that year was 210,000 kL in crude oil equivalent. This
indicates that even if the Japanese producers could successfully achieve the targeted
level of production, it is far short of the targeted level of introduction, and the rest
would need to be imported. It could be argued that biofuel imports might contribute
to energy security by diversifying the energy sources and supplying countries, considering the fact that about half of Japan’s total energy supply comes from imported
oil, of which almost 90% is imported from the Middle East, and that the transport
sector is almost entirely dependent on oil. However, potential suppliers of bioethanol are limited to a few countries, and Brazil is currently regarded as the only country with the potential capability to export significant quantities in a stable manner.
In addition, when the GHG reduction potential is considered, Brazil is the only
foreign supplier which could have some possibility to reduce GHG emissions by
more than 50%.
8.5.4 Stakeholder Perspectives
8.5.4.1 Government
As biofuels encompass several different policy areas, including agriculture, energy,
industry, and environment, various government ministries have introduced related
national strategies, plans, and policies. For example, the Biomass Nippon Strategy
9 For example, there is a rural revitalization project in Ibaraki Prefecture involving the cultivation
of sweet sorghum in abandoned agricultural land to produce bioethanol.
10 Specified in the roadmap entitled the “Large-Scale Expansion of Domestic Biofuel Production”
(Kokusan Baionenryo no Ohaba na Seisan Kakudai) (Biomass Nippon Strategy Promotion
Committee 2007).
8 Socioeconomic Impacts of Biofuels in East Asia