From "Discarding" to "Fueling." Waste will save Japan's energy security.
ENAUM Co., Ltd. aims to achieve energy self-sufficiency for Japan by converting waste into domestic biofuel (SAF, etc.) using its WTE system, addressing Strait of Hormuz risks, waste problems, and SAF mandates by 2030.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 16:00
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## Press Release Information
Title: From "Discarding" to "Fueling." Waste will save Japan's energy security.
Subtitle: ENAUM Co., Ltd., with a WTE system that simultaneously solves three national challenges—Strait of Hormuz blockade, SAF supply mandate, and landfill shortage—aims to achieve energy self-sufficiency for Japan. [April Dream]
Company Name: ENAUM Co., Ltd.
Industry: Materials, Chemicals, Energy, Nature, Environment
Waste becomes fuel. Japan transforms. ENAUM Co., Ltd.
ENAUM Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture; CEO: Noboru Hayakawa) endorses April Dream, a project that aims to make April 1st a day for companies to announce their dreams. This press release represents ENAUM Co., Ltd.'s dream.
On "that day" when the Strait of Hormuz was blockaded, Japan's answer was right at its feet. ENAUM Co., Ltd. declares its dream of paving the way to energy self-sufficiency for Japan with "Made in Japan" biofuel produced from waste.
The day will come when Japan's "trash" prevents a "repeat of the oil shock." This is a 25-year challenge of Japan-originated cleantech, using WTE (Waste to Energy gasification) technology to fundamentally resolve the structural vulnerability of 93% dependence on the Middle East.
## March 2026: "That Day" Arrived, Not as a Dream, but as Reality
February 28, 2026. Following a lightning military strike by the US and Israel on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was effectively blockaded. The three major Japanese shipping companies—Nippon Yusen, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha—immediately suspended passage. Crude oil prices surged, and yen depreciation accelerated. Nomura Research Institute estimated the worst-case scenario as "crude oil at $140 per barrel, real GDP at -0.65%, and entry into stagflation."
This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is what is happening in Japan right now, in March 2026.
And Japan was reminded once again of its "structural weakness," which has remained unchanged since the 1973 oil shock: approximately 80% of the energy consumed domestically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and a staggering 93% of imported crude oil depends on the Middle East.
Every time a strait just 3.2 kilometers wide is blockaded, the nation's economy and livelihoods are shaken. Is this acceptable?
We, ENAUM Co., Ltd., found the answer to this question "at Japan's feet."
## The Solution Lies in the "Waste" Generated Daily
In Japan, approximately 40 million tons of waste are generated annually. Waste plastics, municipal solid waste, construction waste, solar panels, sewage sludge—these are currently "negative assets" that are simply disposed of at a cost. We want to prove that they are, in fact, a massive domestic energy resource.
40-foot container size WTE system
The WTE (Waste to Energy) system by Micro Energy Co., Ltd., which ENAUM is promoting for social implementation, is a patented waste gasification technology (Patent No. 7401148) with 25 years of R&D and a track record of numerous government subsidy adoptions.
Waste is fed in mixed, without sorting, and carbon is completely gasified using superheated steam at approximately 1,000°C. This generates synthesis gas boasting the world's highest hydrogen concentration of approximately 60%, which is then converted into biodiesel and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) through Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The manufactured fuel has a cetane index of 71.2-75.5, significantly exceeding that of light oil (59.9), and contains zero sulfur. It is a "drop-in fuel" that can be used directly with existing engines and refueling infrastructure.
No more tankers, no pipelines, no diplomatic negotiations with the Middle East are needed. The raw material is waste, found everywhere in Japan.
## Our Dream: From "Energy Dependent Nation" to "Energy Self-Sufficient Nation"
The dream ENAUM envisions is simple.
In 2030, even if the Strait of Hormuz is blockaded, Japanese airplanes will continue to fly. Because the raw material for fuel comes from domestic waste. Heavy machinery at construction sites will operate by converting construction waste into fuel themselves. Power on remote islands will be self-sufficient from the island's waste. And Japan will no longer need to tremble at the movements in a distant strait.
We are seriously aiming for the day when "Made in Japan" biofuel redraws this country's energy geopolitics.
Japan, once called a country without resources, actually had resources. It is the "waste" generated daily throughout the country.
## The Dream is Already Moving
Since its establishment in October 2025, ENAUM has been steadily progressing. It was selected for the Chiba Prefecture Open Innovation Program (October 2025). While accelerating co-creation dialogues with airports, oil wholesalers, airlines, local governments, and construction companies, it is also considering overseas expansion, including Singapore and Malaysia.
BTL fuel produced during the 2.5 tons/day continuous operation demonstration in Naka Town, Tokushima Prefecture (2009-2015) has been confirmed to have performance equivalent to light oil in verification tests by the National Agency for Automobile and Land Transport Technology.
The technology has already been proven. All that remains is to move society.
## To Those Who Can Seriously Join Us in This Dream
The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer a warning. It is a reality.
That is why ENAUM now asks: Municipalities and waste management operators who see potential in reducing waste treatment costs and generating double income from domestic biofuel. Airlines and oil wholesalers facing the obligation to supply SAF. VCs and CVCs who want to invest in the structural transformation of distributed energy. Universities and research institutions considering joint research on FT synthesis catalysts, AI control, and IoT maintenance.
Let's together make this dream come true: producing this country's energy from waste, without relying on imports.
## Company Profile
Company Name: ENAUM Co., Ltd.
Established: October 16, 2025
Head Office Location: 4-4-7 Yawata-dai, Kisarazu City, Chiba 292-0825, Japan
Representative: Noboru Hayakawa, Representative Director CEO
Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of waste gasification systems, manufacturing of SAF and biodiesel fuel, hydrogen energy business, carbon credit business.
Website: https://enaum.jp/
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their future dreams on April 1st. We are seriously committed to realizing this dream.
Keywords: April Dream, SAF, WasteToEnergy, Circular Economy, Decarbonization, Strait of Hormuz, Energy Crisis, ENAUM Co., Ltd., Low Price, Low Cost
Title: From "Discarding" to "Fueling." Waste will save Japan's energy security.
Subtitle: ENAUM Co., Ltd., with a WTE system that simultaneously solves three national challenges—Strait of Hormuz blockade, SAF supply mandate, and landfill shortage—aims to achieve energy self-sufficiency for Japan. [April Dream]
Company Name: ENAUM Co., Ltd.
Industry: Materials, Chemicals, Energy, Nature, Environment
Waste becomes fuel. Japan transforms. ENAUM Co., Ltd.
ENAUM Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture; CEO: Noboru Hayakawa) endorses April Dream, a project that aims to make April 1st a day for companies to announce their dreams. This press release represents ENAUM Co., Ltd.'s dream.
On "that day" when the Strait of Hormuz was blockaded, Japan's answer was right at its feet. ENAUM Co., Ltd. declares its dream of paving the way to energy self-sufficiency for Japan with "Made in Japan" biofuel produced from waste.
The day will come when Japan's "trash" prevents a "repeat of the oil shock." This is a 25-year challenge of Japan-originated cleantech, using WTE (Waste to Energy gasification) technology to fundamentally resolve the structural vulnerability of 93% dependence on the Middle East.
## March 2026: "That Day" Arrived, Not as a Dream, but as Reality
February 28, 2026. Following a lightning military strike by the US and Israel on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was effectively blockaded. The three major Japanese shipping companies—Nippon Yusen, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha—immediately suspended passage. Crude oil prices surged, and yen depreciation accelerated. Nomura Research Institute estimated the worst-case scenario as "crude oil at $140 per barrel, real GDP at -0.65%, and entry into stagflation."
This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is what is happening in Japan right now, in March 2026.
And Japan was reminded once again of its "structural weakness," which has remained unchanged since the 1973 oil shock: approximately 80% of the energy consumed domestically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and a staggering 93% of imported crude oil depends on the Middle East.
Every time a strait just 3.2 kilometers wide is blockaded, the nation's economy and livelihoods are shaken. Is this acceptable?
We, ENAUM Co., Ltd., found the answer to this question "at Japan's feet."
## The Solution Lies in the "Waste" Generated Daily
In Japan, approximately 40 million tons of waste are generated annually. Waste plastics, municipal solid waste, construction waste, solar panels, sewage sludge—these are currently "negative assets" that are simply disposed of at a cost. We want to prove that they are, in fact, a massive domestic energy resource.
40-foot container size WTE system
The WTE (Waste to Energy) system by Micro Energy Co., Ltd., which ENAUM is promoting for social implementation, is a patented waste gasification technology (Patent No. 7401148) with 25 years of R&D and a track record of numerous government subsidy adoptions.
Waste is fed in mixed, without sorting, and carbon is completely gasified using superheated steam at approximately 1,000°C. This generates synthesis gas boasting the world's highest hydrogen concentration of approximately 60%, which is then converted into biodiesel and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) through Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The manufactured fuel has a cetane index of 71.2-75.5, significantly exceeding that of light oil (59.9), and contains zero sulfur. It is a "drop-in fuel" that can be used directly with existing engines and refueling infrastructure.
No more tankers, no pipelines, no diplomatic negotiations with the Middle East are needed. The raw material is waste, found everywhere in Japan.
## Our Dream: From "Energy Dependent Nation" to "Energy Self-Sufficient Nation"
The dream ENAUM envisions is simple.
In 2030, even if the Strait of Hormuz is blockaded, Japanese airplanes will continue to fly. Because the raw material for fuel comes from domestic waste. Heavy machinery at construction sites will operate by converting construction waste into fuel themselves. Power on remote islands will be self-sufficient from the island's waste. And Japan will no longer need to tremble at the movements in a distant strait.
We are seriously aiming for the day when "Made in Japan" biofuel redraws this country's energy geopolitics.
Japan, once called a country without resources, actually had resources. It is the "waste" generated daily throughout the country.
## The Dream is Already Moving
Since its establishment in October 2025, ENAUM has been steadily progressing. It was selected for the Chiba Prefecture Open Innovation Program (October 2025). While accelerating co-creation dialogues with airports, oil wholesalers, airlines, local governments, and construction companies, it is also considering overseas expansion, including Singapore and Malaysia.
BTL fuel produced during the 2.5 tons/day continuous operation demonstration in Naka Town, Tokushima Prefecture (2009-2015) has been confirmed to have performance equivalent to light oil in verification tests by the National Agency for Automobile and Land Transport Technology.
The technology has already been proven. All that remains is to move society.
## To Those Who Can Seriously Join Us in This Dream
The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer a warning. It is a reality.
That is why ENAUM now asks: Municipalities and waste management operators who see potential in reducing waste treatment costs and generating double income from domestic biofuel. Airlines and oil wholesalers facing the obligation to supply SAF. VCs and CVCs who want to invest in the structural transformation of distributed energy. Universities and research institutions considering joint research on FT synthesis catalysts, AI control, and IoT maintenance.
Let's together make this dream come true: producing this country's energy from waste, without relying on imports.
## Company Profile
Company Name: ENAUM Co., Ltd.
Established: October 16, 2025
Head Office Location: 4-4-7 Yawata-dai, Kisarazu City, Chiba 292-0825, Japan
Representative: Noboru Hayakawa, Representative Director CEO
Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of waste gasification systems, manufacturing of SAF and biodiesel fuel, hydrogen energy business, carbon credit business.
Website: https://enaum.jp/
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their future dreams on April 1st. We are seriously committed to realizing this dream.
Keywords: April Dream, SAF, WasteToEnergy, Circular Economy, Decarbonization, Strait of Hormuz, Energy Crisis, ENAUM Co., Ltd., Low Price, Low Cost
FAQ
What is ENAUM's WTE system?
It's a technology that processes unsorted waste using superheated steam at approx. 1,000°C to gasify it, producing high-concentration synthesis gas for biodiesel and SAF.
How does it contribute to Japan's energy security?
By supplying domestic fuel made from waste generated in Japan, it reduces geopolitical risks, replacing crude oil imports heavily dependent on the Middle East.
How does it address the SAF supply mandate?
The SAF produced by the WTE system is a drop-in fuel compatible with existing infrastructure, helping airlines and oil refiners meet their mandate obligations.