1. Together, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association; and Petroleum Association of Japan released the “Next-Generation Vehicle and Fuel Initiative” in May 2007 to address the global environment and diversity of energy sources. The initiative suggested the need to formulate a “Bio-fuel Technology Innovation Plan” to efficiently produce bio-fuel, etc. from cellulosic biomass, while ensuring consistency with the “schedule for expanding domestic bio-fuel production” launched by the Biomass Nippon Strategy Promotion Council.

2. For that purpose, METI and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will hold a “Bio-fuel Technology Innovation Conference” (Chairperson: Masahiro Samejima, Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo) on November 21, 2007 through industry-academia-government cooperation. The conference aims to formulate a “Bio-fuel Technology Innovation Plan” which will include specific goals of cellulosic bio-fuel production, technology development, and a roadmap, by the end of the fiscal year.

Details
Time and Date: November 21, 2007 (Wednesday) from 15:00 to 16:00
Venue: Kazan-no-ma, Meeting Room, Kazan Kaikan

Other Information
Spectators will not be allowed to sit in on the conference. Photographing by the press will be allowed at the beginning of the conference. Materials will be posted on the website of METI after the conference.