Bioethanol mandate

Japan relies on imported crude petroleum and natural gas and has been actively working to reduce these by developing alternative or non-fossil energy sources.

In the early 2000s, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries led the country’s initiatives on biofuels. At that time, the ministry’s interest was focused on revitalizing the rural economy through biofuel production from domestic feedstock, including rice for non-food purposes.

In July 2009, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) enacted the Act on Promotion of the Use of Non-fossil Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Source Materials by Energy Suppliers (also known as the Sophisticated Methods of Energy Supply Structure Act or the Sophisticated Act). This Act requires energy s