130
coordinated, particularly in Indonesia. Therefore, government should not be considered as a cohesive and integrated group of stakeholders. Rather, different agencies
should be considered separately in studying stakeholders in biofuel utilization. The
final category of stakeholder is NGOs. While those concerned about natural environment are most active in the field, we should not forget about the human rights
and animal rights advocates because plantation expansions and efficiency improvements in feedstock production can have significant impacts on pristine animals and
manual laborers in the area.
9.4.2 Variety of Issues
Through an analysis of interview results, the authors identify the following seven
categories of enabling and limiting factors that affect the increased production of
biofuels at a large scale in these countries. First of all, domestic and international
demands for biofuels define the course of biofuel production for sure. Second,
domestic policies and regulations have substantial effect on the production of feedstock and the deployment of biofuels in these nations. Third, domestic political
culture also has impacts on it. This is different from policies itself; it is about how
policies change and how well they are implemented. Fourth, pressures from supranational institutions and international NGOs can have an influence from the demand
site. Fifth, availability of transportation infrastructure is a crucial factor in the supply chain of feedstock and biofuels. For instance, further development of sugarcanebased ethanol is likely to require the development of pipelines. Sixth, investment
environment in each country has influences on the future development. While foreign investors have substantial interest in the development, they are also concerned
about the uncertainties associated with the investment in these countries particularly
because of the legacy of instability of these nations’ economic policy. Seventh,
mechanization of harvesting processes is another crucial factor in the production of
feedstock. And finally, R&D for the improvement of feedstock species is likely to
be a major challenge in a near future. In order to achieve sustainable development,
plantation owners are now faced with the challenge of increasing productivity per
unit of area. Improving the yield, as well as increasing the portion of useful content
in each crop, through hybridization and genetic engineering will be required for the
sustainable future.
9.4.3 Implication to the Japanese Government’s Policy
on the Importation of Biofuels
Through interviews with stakeholders in Brazil and Indonesia, the authors identified
a few areas that the Japanese government can contribute for the sustainable utilization of biofuels.
M. Matsuura and H. Shiroyama
coordinated, particularly in Indonesia. Therefore, government should not be considered as a cohesive and integrated group of stakeholders. Rather, different agencies
should be considered separately in studying stakeholders in biofuel utilization. The
final category of stakeholder is NGOs. While those concerned about natural environment are most active in the field, we should not forget about the human rights
and animal rights advocates because plantation expansions and efficiency improvements in feedstock production can have significant impacts on pristine animals and
manual laborers in the area.
9.4.2 Variety of Issues
Through an analysis of interview results, the authors identify the following seven
categories of enabling and limiting factors that affect the increased production of
biofuels at a large scale in these countries. First of all, domestic and international
demands for biofuels define the course of biofuel production for sure. Second,
domestic policies and regulations have substantial effect on the production of feedstock and the deployment of biofuels in these nations. Third, domestic political
culture also has impacts on it. This is different from policies itself; it is about how
policies change and how well they are implemented. Fourth, pressures from supranational institutions and international NGOs can have an influence from the demand
site. Fifth, availability of transportation infrastructure is a crucial factor in the supply chain of feedstock and biofuels. For instance, further development of sugarcanebased ethanol is likely to require the development of pipelines. Sixth, investment
environment in each country has influences on the future development. While foreign investors have substantial interest in the development, they are also concerned
about the uncertainties associated with the investment in these countries particularly
because of the legacy of instability of these nations’ economic policy. Seventh,
mechanization of harvesting processes is another crucial factor in the production of
feedstock. And finally, R&D for the improvement of feedstock species is likely to
be a major challenge in a near future. In order to achieve sustainable development,
plantation owners are now faced with the challenge of increasing productivity per
unit of area. Improving the yield, as well as increasing the portion of useful content
in each crop, through hybridization and genetic engineering will be required for the
sustainable future.
9.4.3 Implication to the Japanese Government’s Policy
on the Importation of Biofuels
Through interviews with stakeholders in Brazil and Indonesia, the authors identified
a few areas that the Japanese government can contribute for the sustainable utilization of biofuels.
M. Matsuura and H. Shiroyama