Tokyo: Japan is intensifying efforts to collect used cooking oil from households and businesses as it seeks to expand domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and reduce reliance on imported energy sources.
The initiative comes as the country works toward its target of sourcing 10 percent of airline fuel from sustainable alternatives by 2030, a goal that has gained added urgency amid rising energy costs and supply concerns linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, The Japan Times reported.
A key part of the strategy is the nationwide “Fry to Fly” programme, a public-private partnership that encourages consumers to donate used cooking oil for conversion into aviation fuel. Around 300 collection points, including supermarkets, are currently participating in the initiative.
Japan views used cooking oil as an important feedstock for SAF because it is relatively affordable and can be sourced domestically. However, limited feedstock availability and insufficient production infrastructure continue to constrain output.
According to government estimates, Japan will require approximately 1.7 million kilolitres of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 to meet its target. Current domestic SAF production stands at only about 30,000 kilolitres, accounting for just 0.3 percent of total jet fuel consumption.
The challenge underscores the broader difficulties facing the global aviation sector as it seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While SAF is considered one of the most promising pathways for decarbonising air transport, large-scale production remains limited and costs remain significantly higher than those of conventional aviation fuel.
Japan’s two largest airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, recently acknowledged that progress toward scaling up SAF production has been slower and more difficult than initially anticipated.
Industry experts warn that if domestic production falls short of demand, refiners and airlines may be forced to rely on more expensive imports of SAF or feedstocks, potentially increasing operating costs across the aviation sector.
The issue is not unique to Japan. Many countries pursuing SAF adoption continue to face challenges in securing adequate feedstock supplies and developing commercial-scale production facilities. Even in markets where blending mandates have already been introduced, imported feedstocks remain an important source of supply.
The Japanese government has identified the current year as a crucial period for the industry. Refiners are expected to make final investment decisions on SAF projects by March next year to ensure commercial-scale production capacity is available by 2030.
As the race to decarbonise aviation accelerates, Japan’s growing focus on converting used cooking oil into biofuel highlights both the opportunities and challenges associated with building a domestic sustainable aviation fuel industry.
