performance in order to further reduce the impact that rail has on the environment.

### b. Initiatives for energy conservation and low carbonization in shipping

We are promoting energy conservation for ships in the area of coastal shipping by advancing the construction of vessels that contribute to energy conservation and supporting the demonstration of innovative energy-saving technologies. From the standpoint of advancing the development of an international framework and disseminating and promoting the development of technologies on an integrated basis in the area of international shipping, we have been supporting the private-sector development of technologies for the purpose of further reducing $ CO_{2} $ emissions from vessels since FY 2013 and spearheading IMO discussions on progressively fortifying regulations governing $ CO_{2} $ emissions (fuel-efficiency regulations) and on creating an international framework that includes a program for reporting fuel efficiency (by which fuel efficiency during actual operations can be visualized).

### c. Initiatives to reduce $ CO_{2} $ emissions in aviation

We are advancing the implementation of area navigation (RNAV), which enables shortening flight time and distance and the User Preferred Route (UPR) method, which allows the flight to have the most efficient altitude desired by the pilot, as well as enhancing aerial traffic systems by implementing the Continuous Descent Operation (CDO) which sustains minimal engine output by continuously descending without leveling out at any point during descent. We also promote the use of ground power units (GPU) for airplanes and ecological cars such as Ground Service Equipment (GSE) vehicles as a part of Eco Airport (eco friendly airport) activities. Furthermore, we are strengthening international initiatives, such as participating in the Asia and Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions (ASPIRE) where air traffic control authorities and airline companies cooperate to attain efficiency in flying. We are also leading the discussion to develop a global scheme to reduce $ CO_{2} $ emissions from international aviation. Furthermore, the efforts to promote the use of alternative aviation fuels are being conducted, collaborating with the various stakeholders.

## (7) Enhancing energy-saving capabilities in housing and buildings

The rise in the amount of energy consumed by the civilian sector is more prominent than in other sectors, which makes improving energy-saving capabilities in housing and buildings an urgent task.

In response to the fact that the basic energy plan will progressively mandate that new dwellings and buildings comply with energy-saving standards by 2020, the Act for Improving the Energy-Consumption Performance of Buildings (Building Energy-Saving Act), which sets forth measures for mandating compliance with energy-saving standards on the part of buildings above a certain size other than dwellings and measures with respect to a program for certifying buildings demonstrating excellent energy-saving performance and a program for indicating energy-saving performance, was promulgated in July 2015.

In order to communicate energy-saving performance to consumers in an easy-to-understand manner, efforts are underway to upgrade and disseminate a housing-performance indication system, CASBEE, the Building Energy-efficiency Labeling System (BELS), and other such programs.

Aside from this, in order to promote energy saving/decreasing $ CO_{2} $ emissions for housing and buildings, MLIT is supporting various efforts, such as businesses that award points—which can be exchanged with various merchandise—for building new eco-housing or doing eco-reforms, the introducing of cutting-edge $ CO_{2} $ emissions decreasing technology and energy conserving renovation, as well as efforts by small and medium-sized contractors in building zero energy housing and certified low-carbon housing and buildings, while also lowering the interest rate by using the Japan Housing Finance Agency’s securitization support business framework. In addition, it is working for the development and dissemination of things like the design and construction technology of energy-saving houses and buildings through holding workshops for design and construction professionals and providing support for the technological development of the leading private firms.

Furthermore, in order to stimulate energy-saving measures in pre-existing establishments, we are formulating supportive taxation measures for renovation work towards energy conservation in already existing residences and buildings.

## (8) Promotion of energy-saving methods in sewage

The reduction of carbon monoxide is being advanced by the implementation of energy-saving measures such as high