## 2 Promoting Global Warming Countermeasures (Mitigation Measures)

## (1) Promoting Low-carbon City Development

For the cities where the population and buildings are quite concentrated, in December 2012, “The Low-Carbon City Act” was enacted from the standpoint of promoting low-carbon city development through consolidation of urban facilities and the promotion of public transportation use, efficient use of energy such as area energy networks at the district level, conservation and promotion of greenery. 19 municipalities has formulated the “Low-Carbon City Plan” by the end FY2014. Government of japan has been continually promoting “Low-Carbon City Development” through budgetary and tax measures as well as deregulation.

## (2) Promoting the Development, Distribution and Optimal Utilization of Environment-friendly Vehicles

### a. Improving Mileage of Vehicles

Based on the "Law Concerning Rational Use of Energy (Energy Saving Act)", we are formulating fuel economy standards and disclosing fuel consumption for automobiles. In 2014, the Subcommittee on Automobile Fuel Economy Standards (under committee of Council of Transportation Policy) was established and the deliberation results regarding the FY2022 Fuel Economy Standards for trucks (limited to vehicles with total weight of less than 3.5t) were summarized.

Furthermore, the average fuel efficiency rate of gasoline passenger vehicles released in FY2013 was approximately 50% higher compared to FY2004, and we will continue in the efforts to further improve fuel efficiency.

### b. Schemes to stimulate improvements in mileage capabilities and reduction in exhaust gas

In order for consumers to easily identify and select vehicles with high mileage capabilities, we have implemented systems to evaluate and disclose mileage capabilities of vehicles to stimulate their dissemination. Additionally, for vehicles that emit lower amounts of harmful substances than the latest exhaust gas standards, we are implementing the “low emission vehicle recognition system,” according to how much less exhaust is emitted by the vehicle. The indication for mileage capabilities are marked by a “2020 Mileage Standard Fulfilling Vehicle” sticker.

### c. Promoting the dissemination of environment-friendly vehicles

In promoting the distribution of environment-friendly vehicles, such as putting into place tax incentives such as EcoCar Tax cuts (vehicle weight tax and vehicle excise tax) for vehicles with superior environmental performance (EcoCar) and the special provision for fuel reduction (vehicle tax), the number of vehicles sold in 2014 that are subject to the EcoCar tax cuts are approximately 87% (approximately 4,340,000 cars) of all vehicles sold.

Furthermore, to promote measures against global warming, MLIT has been facilitating city development that uses environment-friendly vehicles by providing assistance in introducing the use of electric cars and ultra-compact vehicles, and also helping Automobile Carrier Businesses introduce CNG Automobiles Note, hybrid cars, and advanced environment-friendly diesel trucks.

### d. Development, application and creating a usage environment for next generation heavy vehicles

In order to promote the development and application of next generation heavy vehicles, from 2011, the technology development has been moving forward for things such as high efficiency hybrid trucks, electric plug-in hybrid trucks and high performance electric buses. We also began undertaking efforts to make possible the actual use of such vehicles, such as substantive driving tests under actual use conditions for experimental cars and the preparation of the necessary standards.