the “Conference for promoting housing and living to create a low carbon society” was held with experts and practitioners, the cooperation of the MLIT, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of the Environment. Discussions over the future direction of measures in energy conservation in housing and buildings, as well as mandating energy saving standards, took place at the conference; the results were organized in an interim summary. In addition, we reevaluated the standards for comprehensively assessing the consumption of primary energy together with created energy, based on the “Energy Conservation Law” (scheduled to come into effect in 2013). Furthermore, the low carbon building certification system, based on the “Low Carbon City Promotion Act,” has taken effect; we now aim for its dissemination.

In other fronts, we are working to develop and disseminate the Housing Performance Indication System that effectively demonstrates energy conservation capabilities, and the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) that integrally evaluates enhancing livability (indoor environment) and reducing environmental strain of housing and buildings as comprehensive environmental capabilities.

In addition, as supportive measures for implementing energy conservation in housing, we conduct housing eco-point program supporting reconstruction, and also lower interest-rates by utilizing systems such as the securitization support project of the Japanese Housing Finance Agency. Also, we strive for the development and dissemination of designs and construction technology for energy-saving housing and buildings by holding courses for designers and construction technicians as well as supporting pioneering technological development of commercial businesses.

Furthermore, we are formulating supportive taxation measures in order to stimulate home improvements in energy-saving performance.

## (2) Advancing the reduction of environmental strain from government facilities

Government facilities are being outfitted with consideration for the environment, in renovations to reduce environmental strain throughout the lifecycle of buildings. The Yokosuka local joint government building was constructed accordingly in 2012. In an effort to improve preexisting facilities, decrepit facility appliances are being replaced by those with high energy-saving capabilities, while we also provide technological support for facility management, for optimum operation and maintenance. We are also promoting the use of wood in government buildings; for example, the Yokohama Plant Protection Station

Graphic II-8-1-5 Examples of the use of wood in government buildings

Source) Left: Yokohama Plant Protection Station Tsukuba farm, office and laboratories

Right: Kobe Border Customs Sakai Branch Customs Office, office

Tsukuba farm was built by wooden construction and Yokosuka National Government Building was built utilizing a timber interior in 2012.

## (3) Countermeasures towards Global Warming in Sanitary Drainage

Based on the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan, the reduction of carbon monoxide is being advanced by the implementation of energy-saving measures such as high efficiency equipment, and with new energy measures such as the processing of raw sewage into solid fuel, the use of bio-gas, and the high temperature incineration of raw sewage.

## (4) Implementation of small hydroelectric generation using rivers

As initiatives towards a low carbon society, the implementation of small hydroelectric generation by using rivers and the like, is being pushed forward. Specifically, irrigation permission procedures are being simplified and streamlined to promote the dissemination of small hydroelectric generation based on the River Act, while power generation equipment for the management of dams, under the direct jurisdiction, are being implemented. In addition, we are working towards thorough use of unused energy by supporting the implementation of small power generation equipment in sediment control dams.