The Impact of Ethanol on Japan In modern history, the introduction of ethanol has been praised by many but is overlooked by the rest of the world. This means that the ethanol fuel source has had many profound effects. In fact, in recent decades, the demand for cleaner energy production and higher gas mileage has sparked interest in government projects supporting a major change in a positive direction. Previously, gas guzzling automobiles held back opportunity from the advancement of a safer, cleaner and more economically efficient fuel energy sources. Increased demand for higher performance was largely to blame for high gas consumption, which was dictated larger vehicles during the past several decades. During this time, automobile sales reached all time highs, but many scientists saw increased pollution of carbon dioxide in the environment taking the brunt of this increased economic success. Later on as global warming was recognized as a serious issue, many global car manufactures, especially those in Japan, sought to create ecofriendly alternatives to gasoline in cars. The Japanese, as a result, had to invest money and scientific research into the effort, which led to the idea of ethanol as a substitute fuel source. This led to a desire for change, eventually leading to the Japanese government mandating automotive cars be completely reliant on alternate fuel sources by 2030. At this time, not only will there be a change in mindset as to what is possible with clean energy, it will signify the start of a beginning in the global automotive industry. Despite some opposition to carry through with
McDole 2 funding for advanced fuel alternatives, the Japanese government has concluded the long term benefits of this process will far outweigh the expense. Already during the first few years of production, the economic impacts were realized, but the major improvements have yet to be discovered. Japanese scientists believe that expansive research into environmentally safe fuel options is a gateway to decrease ozone pollution as well as increases in fuel efficiency. Throughout the previous several decades the constant demand for gasoline consumption was a force that restricted the way of life throughout the world, however, change started as a result of ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol, the most common type of ethanol, is a bio-fuel composed mainly from cellulose in plants ("Cellulosic") Ethanol is a liquid gas that is the breakdown of starches and sugars from plants such as wheat, corn, and fruit and vegetable waste. Ethanol burns cleaner, is easily replenished, and comes right from soil. Ethanol also reduces the chance for global warming, which can lead to other major problems in the world ("What?"). Research conducted by the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) found a significant connection between cell structures in plant organisms and the output of energy per liter of fuel ("Japan Biofuels"). The Japanese government claims that: Increasing oil prices and global warming prevention are the key drivers in Japan's biofuels campaign. Biofuels are also seen as an opportunity for business development and revitalization of rural and farming communities. The government strongly supports the development of innovative technologies for low-cost fuel ethanol ("Japan Biofuels ").

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As an increased interest spread to all parts of society, more questions grew. Japan was faced with the question of how to incorporate ethanol with gasoline in order to understand the effects ethanol would have on the automobile. Japan has started to offer E3 gas stations throughout the country in an attempt to study the effects of efficiency and emission levels of carbon dioxide. To incorporate ethanol into the entire Japanese society, test stations like this must be put into effect and tested to see if efficiency is being increased. Ethanol has numerous advantages that increase its potential as an alternative car fuel. The most important