Fuel from rice

Apparently, the fuel produced from crops, such like corns or sugar cane, is getting popular as a substitution of gasoline. It's called bio-ethanol and it seems to have various benefits. The price of bio-fuel is cheaper than that of petroleum and it may improve air pollution (because it's a particulate-free burning fuel). The true aim of the government is to reduce consumption of gasoline and to boost its economy without depending on mid-east. In the United States, it could be practical idea because the production of corn is huge (though there are a lot of issues to be solved). On the other hand, Japanese government and Tokyo university has started one project to produce bio-ethanol using rice as a raw material. They say it will help to improve environment and promote employment at depopulated area. But it doesn't make any sense. Unlike USA, Japan is a small country and the area suitable for agriculture is limited. They will not be able to produce plenty of bio-ethanol to prop their economy. The scientists just want to pursue the current dynamics in energy situation, but they never consider the facts. I wish Japanese government would quit following other countries and could think of breakthrough in energy production.