It is a great pleasure and honor for us to contribute the special isssue edition of Biomasss and Bioenergy. I should like to express sincere thanks to Dr. Ralph P. Overend, who kindly made decision to give us this opportunity as a representative of the Japan Institute of Energy. This edition covers the present situation of biomass in Japan including biomass potential, availability of biomass, conversion technologies, and biomass energy policy.
It is noteworthy that the renewable energy accounts only 1.2% of the primary energy consumption of Japan (ca. 600 million toe). Japanese government has been trying to triple this value by the year 2010. In accordance with this, seven government organizations proposed the National Program-''Biomass Japan Strategy'' and was approved in cabinet in 2002. This strategy refers not only the promotion of efficient utilization of domestic biomass into fuels and materials but also the revitalization of rural districts based on agriculture and forestry, promotion of employment, and creation of new industries. ''Biomass Japan Strategy'' is recognized as an important concept for the realization of sustainable society. It is really well timed that we could contribute this Journal on this occasion.