Source: CCTV.com

05-17-2007 17:11

Most people have had a chance to drink Japan's national sake. But apparently, the famous rice wine may soon be more than a pleasant nectar.

apanese cars may one day pump their cars full of sake, if a pilot project becomes a hit with the locals. Scientists from Tokyo University are working on a government-funded project to produce a cheap ethanol brew of rice origin. They're doing this with the help of farmers who will donate farm waste such as rice hulls.

Family farming is dominant in Japan, with the majority of farmers growing rice in their spare time. Scientists are encouraging 10,000 local farmers in Nagano, 200 kilometres northwest of Tokyo, to produce the biofuels. They believe there is plenty of potential. But the main challenge will be creating a low cost biofuel that can compete with ordinary gasoline.

Scientists from Tokyo University say if the project works well, it could pave the way for similar endeavours across Japan.

 

Editor:Li Yang