Japan to issue new clean-air certificates to cars

TOKYO September 27, 2003; Japan Today reported that the transport ministry said Friday it will begin to accept applications from automakers on Oct 1 for new certificates for automobiles that clear tighter emission regulations than clean-air standards due to take effect with vehicles to be released from October 2005.

The certificates will be issued for cars that cut emissions of nitrogen oxide and other fumes by more than 50% and 75%, respectively, from the clean-air standards, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.