being absorbed) has still not been fully identified.

To resolve these challenges, Japan developed the IBUKI Greenhouse gas Observation SATellite (GOSAT). Joint development was carried out by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the National Institute for Environment Studies, and the Ministry of the Environment. This satellite for observing GHGs from space was launched on January 23, 2009 from Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) (Figure 4-2-7).

The IBUKI orbits the earth every three days, observing GHGs from above. In the past, data could only be collected from limited observation points on the surface of the earth. With IBUKI, however, we now have global data on carbon dioxide distribution. This data is used by researchers around the world to gather scientific knowledge in fields related to the global environment.

Our mission to overcome global warming cannot possibly be achieved overnight. It requires a continuous effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and prevent rising global temperatures based on the accumulation of scientific data derived from observed evidence. To make use of Japan's outstanding technical strengths for making ongoing global contributions, development began in 2012 on a follow-up satellite to the IBUKI. The next satellite will improve the accuracy of regional GHG sinks and emissions estimates with more accurate observations and more observation locations.

Following the IBUKI, the United States, European Union member states, China, and other countries also plan to launch satellites to observe GHGs. Through mutual collaboration and friendly competition with these satellites, IBUKI is expected to make a further contribution to combating global warming by facilitating scientific development and establishing a more extensive observation network.

(2) Carbon Fiber Technology and Boeing 787 Aircraft — Developing Technology to Reduce Carbon Dioxide using Innovative Materials

Japan's outstanding technology has made a huge contribution to mitigating environmental impacts by conserving energy through more lightweight materials and products. Carbon fiber is one example of this outstanding technology.

Carbon fiber is a next-generation structural material that can be used as a substitute for metals such as iron and aluminum. Carbon fiber has gained attention worldwide as a high value-added material due to its light weight and durability, which result in conserving energy and therefore environmental conservation. Japan is highly competitive with this material and has a nearly 70% share of the world market. Japan has used carbon fiber to develop a new passenger aircraft called the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Boeing Company), a machine that showcases Japanese complex carbon fiber material technology.

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. acting as a launching customer and dozens of other corporations in Japan participated from the beginning in the development and joint production of the fuselage of this passenger aircraft. Consequently, 35% of the fuselage is being produced by Japanese companies (Figure 4-2-8). One likely reason that the Japanese group successfully obtained such a high share was that outstanding Japanese carbon fiber technology directly improves fuel efficiency. The Boeing 787 achieved dramatic weight saving by using these highly advanced complex carbon fiber materials for about half of the fuselage and main wing parts. The 787 ended up achieving about a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency over previous-generation models of the same size. Furthermore, it also realized a higher aspect ratio (proportional to the square of the wingspan) compared to previous wings that utilized complex carbon fiber materials. The 787 thus achieved lower fuel consumption than previous models of the same size and a higher cruising speed of Mach 0.85. The technology improved the endurance of the mid-sized 787 to a level comparable to larger aircraft.

In addition, complex carbon fiber materials are superior in terms of fatigue endurance and corrosion resistance.

Figure 4-2-8 Proportion of Carbon Fiber Complex Materials Used in the Boeing 787

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Source: All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.

Proportions of materials constituting the fuselage

As a result, the 787 can operate effectively in hot, humid conditions while achieving dramatic reductions in both maintenance frequency and cost. Also, introducing high-intensity complex carbon fiber materials in the fuselage significantly reduced barometric altitude in the cabin, as a result of which the 787 successfully reduced discomfort due to pressure differences. Finally, thanks to its outstanding humidity resistance, the 787 met humidity challenges and overcame dryness, resulting in a significant improvement in passenger comfort.

The development of complex carbon fiber materials is now moving towards practical use. In the future, it is expected to spread to industries outside of aeronautics, including the automobile industry. This will further improve fuel consumption, allowing for significant reductions in GHG emissions and resulting in an enormous contribution to developing a low-carbon society.

(3) Developing Cutting-Edge Technology for Renewable Energy to Generate Clean Electricity

Given the fact that it is distributed throughout various different regions, the key to introducing renewable energy is figuring out how to bring out its potential.

A significant portion of Japan's geopolitical structure is characterized by hilly, mountainous terrain surrounded by oceans, giving the nation the world's sixth-largest exclusive economic zone. Further introduction of renewable energy in Japan must consider these conditions, and it may be beneficial to study the great potential inherent in offshore wind power generation.

Offshore wind power falls into two categories: fixed-bottom wind power that can be installed in shallow water; and floating wind power to be used in deep-sea areas. Japan has minimal shallows at the edge of the continental shelf and there is virtually nothing to hinder the flow of wind in the open sea. Floating wind power thus has greater potential than the fixed-bottom type, since it can be driven by stronger and more stable wind power than generators installed on land or just offshore. Technological development and verification is thus absolutely critical if floating wind power generation is to be made viable.

Offshore wind power generation technology has recently gained attention, but its market penetration is still insufficient, with only three fixed-bottom wind power plants in operation in Japan and only two floating demonstration turbines in operation in Norway and Portugal.

In this context, the Ministry of the Environment launched a verification project in 2010 for installing and starting operation of a full-scale (2 MW) floating wind turbine for the first time in Japan. In December 2010, the ministry selected an area off Kabashima in Goto City, Nagasaki for the verification project. The project covers the installation and operation of a small test model mounting a 100 kW turbine in 2012, and launching a demonstration turbine in

Figure 4-2-9 Floating Type Offshore Wind Power Test Model and Demonstration Turbine for Wind Power Generation to be Installed and Operated off Kabashima in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture

Source: Ministry of the Environment