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In order to investigate the impact of the Ethanol content on existing domestic Gasoline vehicles, we conducted an exhaust gases test, a fuel evaporative emissions test, a high-temperature driveability test, and a material impact test. As a result, no safety problems occurred in the metal material impact test at an Ethanol content of 3% or less. In the exhaust gases test, the fuel evaporative emissions test, and the high-temperature driveability test, no problems occurred at an Ethanol content of 3% or less. Based on these results and discussions conducted by the fuel policy subcommittee of the advisory committee for natural resources and energy survey, it was concluded that the Ethanol content in Gasoline must be 3% or less and the oxygenate (alcohol etc.) content must be limited to a value corresponding to a total oxygen content of 1.3% or less. The results obtained by this study were reflected in the Japanese Gasoline compulsory quality regulations.

In 1999, some Japanese fuel suppliers sold highly concentrated alcohol fuels, which are mixtures of gasoline and oxygenates, such as alcohol or ether, in amounts of 50% or more. In August 2001, it was reported that some vehicle models using the highly concentrated alcohol fuels encountered fuel leakage and vehicle fires due to corrosion of the aluminum used for the fuel-system parts. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Government of Japan (MLIT) jointly established the committee on safety for highly concentrated alcohol fuels in September 2001. The committee consisted of automotive technology and metal corrosion experts knowledgeable about preventing such accidents and ensuring user safety. Immersion tests were conducted on metals and other materials used for the fuel-supply system parts to determine the corrosion resistance to each alcohol component contained in the highly concentrated alcohol fuels.