The National Agricultural Research Center of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, an administrative agency in Japan, has reportedly developed a new, quicker way of producing biodiesel fuel from waste rapeseed / sunflower oil.

In cooperation with the agency’s development program, Mr. Jiro Toyoshima in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, began cultivating sunflower on an experimental basis. Ever since his experimental field was featured in newspapers and other media, there has been a steady flow of visitors from across Japan and overseas. The farm has even begun welcoming guests who visit his farm for pleasure. With this, Mr. Toyoshima is considering the possibility of tripling the scale of his farm next year, and incorporating a sunflower maze and other tourist attractions.