The application of biofuels ranges from fuel for transportation to heat and electricity generation. The emission of greenhouse gases also varies considerably depending on the biofuel: Some have little to negative emissions, while others emit almost as much as burning fossil fuels.
Japan's market size for biofuels is forecast to increase significantly in the coming decades. Hydrogen fuel and biofuels are expected to make up the highest volume of carbon-neutral fuels by 2030. By increasing the use of biofuels, Japan aims to increase energy security while improving air quality and protecting the environment.
Next to carbon-neutral hydrogen fuel and electricity, Japan is counting on biodiesel and bioethanol to decarbonize its transportation sector. At the beginning of 2023, for example, Japan Railway announced that it plans to introduce biofuels such as biodiesel in all its diesel trains by 2030 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The production volume of biodiesel stagnated in recent years but Japan's new biofuels policy allows for increased imports.
Currently, solar power and hydropower make up the largest renewable energy sources in Japan, while the share of biomass in energy production remained below five percent. However, the electricity generation from solid biofuels increased continuously throughout the past decade and is forecast to grow further.
Japan's market size for biofuels is forecast to increase significantly in the coming decades. Hydrogen fuel and biofuels are expected to make up the highest volume of carbon-neutral fuels by 2030. By increasing the use of biofuels, Japan aims to increase energy security while improving air quality and protecting the environment.
What fuels does Japan use for transportation?
Regarding automobiles in Japan, the main fuel used by over 99 percent of light motor vehicles was gasoline. The government recently announced that all new passenger cars sold domestically should be electrified by 2035, expecting growth in the electric vehicle industry.Next to carbon-neutral hydrogen fuel and electricity, Japan is counting on biodiesel and bioethanol to decarbonize its transportation sector. At the beginning of 2023, for example, Japan Railway announced that it plans to introduce biofuels such as biodiesel in all its diesel trains by 2030 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The production volume of biodiesel stagnated in recent years but Japan's new biofuels policy allows for increased imports.
What fuels does Japan use for energy generation?
The majority of Japan's primary energy consumption continues to be covered by fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Since Japan lacks domestic reserves of fossil fuels, it is highly dependent on imports. To become more independent of energy imports and to reach its goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, the Japanese government currently plans to increase the use of renewable energy, nuclear energy, and introduce green hydrogen and ammonia which should be produced with renewable energy.Currently, solar power and hydropower make up the largest renewable energy sources in Japan, while the share of biomass in energy production remained below five percent. However, the electricity generation from solid biofuels increased continuously throughout the past decade and is forecast to grow further.
