Motor Vehicle Emission Control Measures of Japan

The rapidly growing motorization in Japan brought serious problems of motor vehicle pollution. The legislation for the motor vehicle emission control of carbon monoxide(CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) has been intensified step by step since 1966, and the emission control of in-use vehicles started in 1970.

Taxes on motor vehicles also had been reduced for the purpose of wide use of low-polution vehicles which comply with regulations in advance.

The development of polution-free- or alternative-fuel-vehicles (low/zero emission vehicles such as hybrid-engine vehicle, compressed natural gas vehicle, methanol vehicle, electric vehicle, etc.) will be promoted for the future.