Besides, the support on the CDM Project $ ^{1} $ approved in the Kyoto Protocol (the setup of a window for application and discussion and the implementation of investigations for forming cases) is being carried out. The trial implementation of emissions trading in the local integrated market, which the Headquarters for the Promotion of Measures against Global Warming determined in October 2008, is being worked on. According to the reported figure $ ^{2} $ of FY 2008, our county's greenhouse gas emission is 12 billion and 82 million tons, which is 1.6% more than the standard levels prescribed in the Kyoto Protocol. At the same time, to push forward the measures for reducing it to 6%, measures are being reviewed further for achieving the mid-term target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 25% of 1999 levels in 2020, presupposing that all the major countries construct a fair and effective international framework, and are eager to achieve the target.

### 2. Measures in the Transportation Division

The $ CO_{2} $ exhaustion from the transportation division is 20% of the country’s total, which was 2.35 billion tons according to the reported figure of FY 2008. It is the first time that the reported figure was under the rough target (2.4-2.43 billion tons) of FY 2010 stated in the target-achievement plan. Therefore, measures are being pushed forward for further reducing emissions.

## (1) Measures for individual automobiles and development of an environmentally-friendly running style

1) Improving the fuel cost of automobiles

The formulation of top-runner style $ ^{3} $ fuel cost standards based on the “Act on the Rational Use of Energy” and the publication of automobile fuel costs are being carried out. Among gasoline vehicles manufactured in FY 2008, about 80% of vehicles achieved the fuel cost standards of FY 2010, and the average fuel cost figure increased by 34% when compared with that of 1995. In 2007, the fuel cost standards of FY 2015 were formulated. Moreover, the review of new fuel cost standards for 2020 has started and it is aiming to finish in spring 2011.

2) Measures for prompting exhaust gas reduction and the improvement of fuel cost functionality

In addition to the newest exhaust gas standard value, automobiles are also required to reduce harmful substances. According to the reduction level, a low-exhaust emitting vehicle certifying system is being implemented. In addition, in order to enable consumers to identify and select automobiles easily, the evaluation and publication system of automobile fuel cost functionality for promoting low fuel cost vehicles is being implemented. Moreover, the label of low exhaust emitting certified level through those systems is stuck on the vehicles that are certified as “2010 low fuel cost certified vehicle”.

## 3 ) Promotion and popularization of environment-compatible vehicles

Reducing the tax rate for automobiles that are excellent in reducing exhaust emissions and fuel cost functionality, the greening effects of increasing the automobile tax rate and the special measures of automobile acquisition tax are applied to those automobiles after a certain period from new registration. Through technology development and product sales efforts of automobile manufacturers, and the increase in concern for the consumer environment, the number of registered automobile tax greening target vehicles is about 41% (1.18 million units) of the total number of new registered vehicles.

Furthermore, in the taxation scheme revision of FY 2010, target vehicles were added partially regarding the specific exhaust functionality established in the taxation scheme revision of FY 2009, the weight tax of automobiles equipped with low fuel cost functionality, as well as the time limit exemption and relaxation measures of the automobile acquisition tax (so-called “eco-car tax reduction”). At the same time, regarding the automobile weight tax, greening is being carried out through setting numerous stages of tax rates according to the vehicle’s environmental burden.

Moreover, from the viewpoint of measures against global warming and air pollution in metropolitan regions, compressed natural gas (CNG) automobiles, hybrid cars and electric automobiles are being introduced, led by the business operators of trucks, buses and taxis. At the same time, as it is necessary to realize measures for environment and economy effectively, support is provided to the replacement and purchase of environment-compatible vehicles for automobile transportation business operators until the end of September 2010 through the supplementary budget of FY 2009.

4) Development, practicality enhancement and application of environmental development of next-generation low-pollution vehicles

Concerning next-generation low-pollution vehicles such as non-contacting electric hybrid cars that have replaced large diesel vehicles and drastically increased in terms of environment functionality, verification projects are being implemented for carrying out running evaluation under actual operating conditions and practicality enhancement is in progress. Moreover, aiming to realize regional development for using environment-compatible vehicles easily (e.g. electric buses and ultra-mini mobility) from FY 2009, a research institute was established. Regarding fuel cell vehicles, other than participating actively in the formulation of integrated global standards in the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (UNECE/WP29), contributions are being made to formulate this as soon as possible.