Joint Press Release with the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Ministry of the Environment
Eco-Drive Promotion Liaison Committee:
National Police Agency
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Ministry of the EnvironmentNovember is Eco-Drive Promotion Month!Let's Start Eco-driving to Save the Earth and Save Money

The Eco-driving project aims at promoting a set of vehicle driving techniques that helps reduce the environmental load during driving. METI has been working in cooperation with the NPA, MLIT and MOE to spread these practices in accordance with the "Eco-Driving Dissemination and Promotion Action Plan," which was created in FY 2006.

In an effort to continuously promote eco-driving, the Eco-Drive Promotion Liaison Committee designates November as "Eco-Drive Promotion Month" because November is a high tourist season and a time of year when people tend to drive cars more often. The committee will conduct intensive publicity activities taking advantage of Eco-Drive Promotion Month, including organizing a symposium and hosting events throughout Japan.

The committee originally created "10 Recommendations for Eco-driving" in 2003, which are recommended for eco-driving, and partially revised the list in 2006. Through these actions, the committee has continued to raise public awareness of Eco-driving. The committee has now reviewed the essential tips for eco-driving, taking advantage of the promotion month. The committee selected the most recommendable 10 eco-driving actions out of a variety of such actions, with reference to their effectiveness or practicality, examined them, and created a new "10 Recommendations for Eco-driving." These revised 10 recommendations provide effective indicators according to which drivers are able to practice eco-driving.

The committee will make further efforts to disseminate and promote eco-driving based on the revised recommendations.

The 10 revised recommendations are shown below. For details, see Appendix.

1. Press the accelerator gently when accelerating
2. Reduce acceleration and deceleration while keeping enough distance between cars
3. Release the accelerator earlier during deceleration
4. Use air conditioners appropriately
5. Avoid unnecessary idling
6. Avoid traffic jams; Leave home with time to spare
7. Check the pressure of tires as a first step for better maintenance
8. Unload unnecessary baggage
9. Do not block traffic when parking
10. Be aware of your fuel consumption

October 31, 2012

• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
• Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry