Japanese cap

Heading towards cleaner airJapan has moved towards implementing diesel emission norms stricter than those in Europe. The country's Central Environment Council (CEC), an advisory body of its ministry of environment, has reached consensus on the next tier of diesel emission standards to become effective from 2009. The proposed limits are more stringent than Europe's toughest Euro IV regulation for light duty vehicles and Euro V heavy-duty engine standards. The Euro IV norms have been introduced in Europe this year. The new Japanese norms aim to reduce PM and NO_x emissions by 43 per cent to 65 per cent, relative to the October 2005 emissions.

Japan's 2009 PM limits are comparable to the US Tier II and US 2007 standards for heavy-duty engines and are expected to require the use of diesel particulate filters on new diesel engines. But its 2009 NO_x limits are less harsh than those in the US.