Under the Kyoto protocol, signed in 1997 and ratified in 2005, Japan comitted to a reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 6% from the 1990 level. Almost all developed countries (with the astonishing exception of USA) ratified this protocol aimed at combating the global warming. Although the energy efficiency of Japan was better than many developed countries in 1990, the goal was established and the Government formulated in April 2005 the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan, which stipulated the measures necessary for ensuring the achievement of 6% reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.

As per as the latest information available of the fiscal year 2008 (ending in March 2009) the GHG fell drastically after the recession sapped the industrial output and fuel consumption, however, Japan still needs to reduce them by 8%.

Different messages on how this reduction on Carbon Dioxide will affect households (economically, by thousands of USD per year) are beginning to be aired and published as the residential sector accounts for the 14% of the total CO2 emissions and increased significantly. There are now 50 million dwellings in Japan (24% more than in 1990) which increased energy consumption due to an expansion of the floor area; and increased numbers of personal computers, home appliances etc.

Carbon dioxide emissions in the residential sector have gone up due to the growth in energy consumption resulting from the increase in the number of household appliances and other factors. For this reason, the Government will work to improve the energy efficiency performances of houses, while encouraging  citizens to think of global warming as their own issue, constantly review their lifestyles and make efforts for energy saving. Since the improvement and dissemination of energy-efficient devices used in households control the energy consumption in the residential sector, the Government will continue to promote further improvements in the energy efficiency of such devices, aiming for the world’s highest standards of energy efficiency. -- Government of Japan

The Government will thoroughly implement energy-saving measures at the time of new construction, greatly demanded in Japan as potential gains in better insulation are directly relatedto a future decrease of the emissions and the electricity demanded.

Also there is promotion of energy-saving renovations which help improve the energy efficiency performance of existing housing stocks.To this end, the Government will work for the amendment of the Energy Conservation Act, in the same manner as buildings, in order to expand the coverage of houses subject to notification obligation concerning energy-saving measures to include certain small- to medium-sized houses and reinforce regulations regarding energy-saving measures related to large-scale houses.

The amendment will also aim to introduce measures to urge businesses operators who construct or sell houses to improve their energy efficiency performance. In addition, the Government will provide support by loans through securitization framework, promote dissemination of energy-efficient houses by creative and original local efforts through the Regional Housing Grant, and establish tax relief for renovations to improve energy efficiency (e.g. the installation of double-paned windowglass) in existing houses.

The Government will also encourage small- to medium-sized business operators to introduce energy-saving construction technologies, and will give assistance to leading technology development by private business operators and model projects introducing CO2-saving technologies. The Government will provide support to the introduction or renovations of model houses which introduce insulating materials and install solarpower systems/solar heating devices en masse, and will familiarize the public with and give support foreco-reform practices such as the introduction of CO2-saving materials at the time of renovations.

So that consumers can select houses with superior energy efficiency performance, the Government will expedite the provision of information to consumers by evaluating and displaying energy efficiency performance. Specifically, the Government will enhance and disseminate the Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency (CASBEE) for houses and the Housing Performance Indication System, and promote the development of comprehensive energy efficiency evaluation methods including ones for housing equipment.

In order to encourage the wider use of window glass and sash with a high energy-saving performance, the Government will smoothly put into execution a system under which the manufacturers have to display the energy-efficiency performances of their products on labels, while thoroughly publicizing their energy-saving effects by utilizing all forms of media. The Government will implement familiarization of all types of energy-saving measures that can be introduced at the time of housing renovation.

Besides, as for detached housing, the Government will promote the provision of information to each resident on the benefits of introducing energy-saving devices, equipment and building materials in accordance with the stateof energy consumption. Regarding complex housing, the Government will encourage the introduction ofenergy-saving devices, equipment and building materials by utilizing leasing and providing energy efficiency services (ESCO).