Japan aims to tighten SAF supply regulations

Japan is proposing stricter rules for domestic producers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, aiming to finalise the discussions later this year.

The new proposal was announced on 27 June by the country's joint commission of the government and private sector for promoting SAF.

The proposed regulations will require SAF producers to cut GHG emissions from jet fuel use by more than 5pc during the April 2030-March 2035 fiscal year against 2019-20 levels. With Japan's domestic jet fuel supplies at 12.5mn kilolitres (210,000 b/d) in 2019-20, the 5pc reduction equates to 1.58mn t of carbon dioxide. Additional targets beyond 2035 will be further discussed, according to the country's ministry of trade and industry (Meti).

The Japanese government decided in 2022 to mandate SAF to account for at least 10pc of domestic airlines' jet fuel consumption by 2030.

The new proposals also aim to develop new technology for producing SAF, including alcohol-to-jet fuel technology, according to a Meti official that spoke to Argus. There is also scope to promote synthetic fuel-based SAF, or e-SAF, as it could reduce 80-90pc more GHG emissions compared with biofuel-based SAF, he added.

Japan's proposals would exceed SAF regulations globally, given that even the EU's ReFuel EU aviation legislation adopted in 2023 does not mandate the "quality of SAF", the Meti official added.

By Yusuke Maekawa