ECCJ / Trainig Text / Vietnam / Energy Coservation Policy & Measures in Japan

The top runner program* was introduced in 1998 for energy conservation standards for home/office appliances and fuel economy standard for automotives.

Example of Top Runner Program

* Top Runner Program:
The program seeks continuous improvement in energy conservation standard/performance among the latest products. E.g. Fuel economy standard of automobile, energy conservation standard for electric equipment etc.

Energy-Conservation Target for Specific Equipment
	Target Year	Energy conservation effects
Passenger vehicles (Gasoline and LP gas)	2010	Gasoline 23% LP gas 11.4%
Passenger vehicles (Gasoline and LP gas)	2010	Gasoline 23% LP gas 11.4%
Passenger vehicles (diesel)	2005	15%
Freight vehicles (gasoline)	2010	13%
Freight vehicles (diesel)	2005	7%
Air conditioners (cooling & heating)	2004 (Partly 2007)	63%
Air conditioners (cooling only)	2007	14%
TV sets	2003	16%
Video cassette recorders	2003	59%
Fluorescent lights	2005	17%
Copying machines	2006	30%
Computers	2005	83%
Magnetic disc units	2005	78%
Electric refrigerators / freezers	2004	30%

The energy conservation effect is as compared with that of 1997 (and as compared with 1995 for automobiles, and 1998 for electric refrigerators / freezers).

	Target Year	Energy conservation effects
Space heaters	2006	(Gas)1%/(Oil)4%
Gas cooking appliances	2006	14%
Gas water heaters	2006	4%
Oil water heaters	2006	4%
Electric toilet seats	2006	10%
Vending machines	2005	34%
Transformers	2006 (Partly 2007)	30%

Energy conservation effects in comparison with FY2000(against FY1999 figures for transformers)

The energy-saving labeling system has been introduced to inform consumers of energy efficiency of home appliances and promote energy efficient products.

Examples of energy-saving labeling

As of April 2004, the labeling is applied to the following 10 products: air conditioners, fluorescent lights, TV sets,
electric refrigerators/freezers, space heaters, gas cooking appliances, gas water heaters, oil water heaters and electric toilet seats. The application is expanded to include computers, magnetic disk units and transformers in May 2004.