In response to the EU = European Union, which had been aiming to ban the sale of new engine-powered vehicles, and agreed to allow the continuation of sales on the condition that synthetic fuels be used, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura indicated that the Japan would also promote efforts toward the commercialization of synthetic fuels.
The EU had been aiming to effectively ban the sale of new engine-powered vehicles, including hybrid vehicles, by 2035 in order to realize a decarbonized society, but on the 25th it agreed with Germany to allow the continuation of sales of engine-powered vehicles on the condition that synthetic fuels with virtually zero carbon dioxide emissions be used.
In response to this, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura stated at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on March 28, "A major transformation is taking place in the automobile industry, which can be described as a tectonic shift, and we would like to continue to have frank exchanges of views on how Europe should promote decarbonization."
Furthermore, he stated, "Japan considers the use of synthetic fuels as one of the options in addition to electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles, and we would like to support efforts for commercialization and engage in technological development in light of the international situation Japan."