efficiency equipment for sewage treatment, and with new energy measures such as the processing of raw sewage into solid fuel, and the high temperature incineration of raw sewage.

## (9) Promotion of environmental measures for construction machinery

MLIT is implementing a system that gives type approval for construction machinery, such as hydraulic shovels and bulldozers, that meet the fuel consumption standards for major construction machinery. In addition, we support the purchasing of construction machinery that has been certified by said system by things such as low-interest financing plans.

## (10) Implementation of $ CO_{2} $ sink measures through urban greening

Urban greening is considered re-vegetation activities, which is subject to the greenhouse gas sink reports according to the Kyoto Protocol. Based on the basic plans for greening as formulated by the municipalities, we are promoting maintenance of city parks and the greening of communal facilities and private land, such as roads and ports.

MLIT is also working on public awareness regarding the meaning and effect of $ CO_{2} $ sink measures by making cities more low carbon and green by alleviating the heat island phenomenon through improvement in the thermal environment by things like improving ground covering.

## 3 Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy

According to the “Energy Master Plan” which was approved by the Cabinet in April 2014 and based on the fact that the introduction of re-usable energy is being expedited as much as possible for three years starting in 2013, MLIT is promoting use of the re-usable energy potential in extensive infrastructure spaces like airport facilities, as well as rivers and streams, and the stable yet abundant sewage biomass.

## (1) Promotion of the use of marine renewable energy

Surrounded by the sea on all sides, Japan is blessed with abundant sources of marine renewable energy. Offshore wind-power generation is especially expected to grow and expand in the future and ports and harbors in particular are garnering attention as sites for the installation of wind-power generation facilities.

To this end, the Port and Harbor Bureau released a manual outlining the installation process in June 2012 and draft technical guidelines that can be technical determination standards to be applied when conducting screening for the granting of permission for the proprietary use of a water area in March 2015. In FY 2015, efforts were undertaken to create a system for determining, through public participation, parties able to apply for the proprietary use of areas corresponding to ports and harbors with a view to promoting the smooth installation of offshore wind-power generation facilities in ports and harbors. Operational guidelines have also been formulated along these lines.

For marine energy such as wave and tidal power, MLIT is working on guidelines to secure the safety/environmental aspects of floating power generating facilities and promoting the realization of new re-useable marine energy in cooperation with the concerned government ministries.

## (2) Promoting small hydroelectric generation

As initiatives toward a low carbon society, the implementation of small hydroelectric generation by using rivers is being pushed forward. Specifically, MLIT is working on the thorough use of unused energy by the promotion of subsidiary power generating based on a registration system, providing project formation support by field contact points, and support for the introduction of small-scale hydropower facilities at sediment control dams, as well as the proactive introduction of power generation facilities for dam management at dams directly controlled by MLIT.

## (3) Promotion of the use of Sewage Biomass

The MLIT is promoting the use of energy derived from sewage sludge and the use of sewage heat.

In May 2015, the Sewerage Act was amended, thereby allowing heat exchangers to be attached to sewage conduits by private businesses and mandating efforts to be undertaken by sewage administrators to reutilize sewage sludge as a source of energy or fertilizer. Through the use of PPP/PFI, we will promote the energy utilization of sewage sludge by the use of