Ministry of International Trade and Industry announced last December the allowable sulfur content of fuel in 1973 and 1978 for the pollution control in the industrial zone. In order to meet with this condition, Japanese oil companies are to increase the import of low sulfur crudes and heavy oil as well as to install more hydrodesulfurization plants of heavy oils. According to the Government projects the necessary capacity of hydrodesulfurization of heavy oil will be 650, 000 BSD in 1973, while at present it is 65, 000 BSD and will and 45, 000 BSD in May, 1970. In addition, the indirect desulfurization plants have a capacity of 220, 000 BSD at present. The ratio of low sulfur crudes to the total amount was 12% in 1968, which will be required to attain to about 20% in 1973. As for desulfurization of crude oil, low sulfur crudes are effective and cheap.Low sulfur crude accounts for more than 40% of the world's grand total of crude output. However, Japan must not expect to increase the import judging from its distribution status. Thus, in order to increase low sulfur oils Japan will have to rely upon desulfurization of heavy oil, which is costly.