2006 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 1-6
In Japan, economic growth expanded remarkably in the 1960's. The social system become characterized by the mass production, the heavy consumption and mass waste generations has exceed the limit of national purification ability. Consequently, various environmental problems such as global warming have occurred. Also, the problem of how to dispose of a large amount of industrials and municipal wastes including hazardous materials has arisen. In addition, our country has limited natural resources. We are in urgent need of the construction of a sustainable society, as soon as possible. Therefore, a plan entitled "Biomass Nippon Strategy" was decided upon by the Japanese Government at a cabinet meeting, in December of 2002. The term biomass reflect a combination of "bio" and "mass". It is defined within the framework of Biomass Nippon Strategy as a "renewable, organism- derived organic resource that exclude fossil resources". Biomass is organic substance and it will remain a renewable resource in a sustainable manner as long as both life and solar energy exist. The utilization of biomass as source of energy and materials in Biomass Nippon Strategy is required for the following reasons: 1) Prevention of Global Warming 2) Creation of a Recycling-Oriented Society 3) Fostering of New Strategic Industries with Competitive Edges 4) Activation of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Those Rural Communities This paper explains about the current situation of biomass in Japan concerning its utilization for energy and products, and the goals of the Biomass Nippon Strategy and the assignment for biomass utilization.
