Mercedes Mullins
Japan's energy policy has undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the country's limited domestic energy resources and efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Japan's main fossil fuels are petroleum, coal, and natural gas, with petroleum contributing the highest share of overall energy usage at 40%. In 2019, natural gas and coal accounted for 21% and 26% of gross primary energy use, respectively. Japan is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, particularly from the Middle East, to meet its energy demands. The country is the second-largest net importer of fossil fuels globally, with over 99% of its crude oil supply and nearly 98% of its natural gas supply being imported.
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What You'll Learn
Japan's fossil fuel imports
Japan has limited domestic energy resources and is highly dependent on fossil fuel imports. In 2012, it was the second-largest net importer of fossil fuels in the world, behind China. Oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are the main fossil fuels imported by Japan, with Middle Eastern countries being the primary source of these imports.
In the post-war period, Japan's energy policy was heavily reliant on coal, which accounted for over 80% of its energy needs in the 1950s. However, by the 1970s, oil had become the dominant energy source in Japan, constituting over 70% of its energy requirements. The 1973 oil crisis marked a turning point, as Japan recognised its vulnerability to external supply shocks and began to diversify its energy sources. Despite these efforts, Japan continued to face challenges in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.
Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 2011, Japan's nuclear energy programme was significantly impacted, and the country was forced to increase its reliance on fossil fuels. As a result, by 2019, fossil fuels constituted about 87% of Japan's energy mix, with petroleum contributing the highest share of overall energy usage at 40%. During this period, natural gas and coal also became increasingly important, with these sources accounting for 21% and 26% of gross primary use, respectively.
To address its high dependence on fossil fuel imports and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Japan has set ambitious targets for renewable and nuclear energy. In 2012, the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) scheme was introduced, leading to a significant increase in renewable energy capacity. Japan has also set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality and is working towards curbing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. The country's energy policy, based on the "S + 3E" principle, aims to balance energy security, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
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Oil, coal, and natural gas
Japan relies on fossil fuels as an important source of energy production. The country's primary energy supply is covered by fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. In recent years, the share of fossil fuels in Japan's energy mix has been over 72%natural gas having the largest share in electricity production. Despite a decline in energy consumption over the past decade, Japan remains one of the largest energy consumers worldwide due to its high electricity demand in the manufacturing industry.
Oil
Oil is the largest source of primary energy in Japan, accounting for 38.2% of its energy mix in 2023. The country relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs, with over 99% of its crude oil supply being imported, mainly from Middle Eastern countries.
Coal
Japan is the world's third-largest coal importer, and coal-fired power plants contribute significantly to electricity generation in the country. In 2018, coal accounted for 32% of Japan's electricity generation. However, the production volume of coal has decreased since 1990 due to limited domestic reserves. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) aims to reduce coal's generation share by recommending that 50% of coal-fired electricity generation come from USC plants by 2030.
Natural Gas
Natural gas, sourced through liquefied natural gas (LNG), is essential for Japan's chemical manufacturing industry and industrial electrification. LNG has a lower carbon footprint than coal, and Japan has been a pioneer in Asia's LNG industry since the 1970s and 1980s. In 2024, LNG provided 34% of Japan's electricity generation. Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable and nuclear energy to secure a stable electricity supply.
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Nuclear energy alternatives
Japan's energy policy is based on the principle of "S + 3E", which stands for Safety, Energy Security, Economic Efficiency, and Environmental Sustainability. The country has limited natural resources, so it must import fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet its energy demands. However, Japan aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and has been exploring alternative energy sources.
One alternative to fossil fuels that Japan has embraced is nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants generate electricity through nuclear fission, which releases a large amount of energy used to create steam that drives turbines. Japan's ratio of nuclear power generation to total electricity production increased from 2% in 1973 to around 30% in March 2011. However, the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 caused by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami led to uncertainty and fear about the use of nuclear energy.
To address the limitations of nuclear energy and fossil fuels, Japan has been exploring renewable energy sources. The country has made significant progress in renewable energy capacity, with a 30% expansion in the past five years. Japan has also been focusing on biomass fuel, with 76% of the 322 million tons of biomass fuel produced in 2008 converted into energy. In 2022, electricity generated from biomass power accounted for 4.6% of the total, an increase from 4.1% in the previous year. Additionally, Japan announced plans in 2012 to construct experimental tidal and wave power plants in coastal areas.
Other alternatives to fossil fuels and nuclear energy that Japan can consider include:
- Solar Power: Solar energy captures sunlight and converts it into electricity using solar panels. It is abundant, inexhaustible, and widely recognized as one of the best alternative energy sources.
- Thorium: Thorium is a silvery, slightly radioactive metal that can be used as a fuel in the nuclear cycle. It is more abundant than uranium and has the potential to generate more fissile material. Thorium-fuelled reactors are considered safer and more environmentally friendly, producing less long-lived nuclear waste.
- Natural Gas: Natural gas is a good alternative to both uranium and oil. It emits less carbon and other harmful pollutants when burned and has become more readily available due to advancements in extraction technology.
- Hydrogen: Hydrogen can be used in conjunction with fuel cells to provide a source of power and transport.
- Wind Power: Wind power uses turbines to generate electricity from moving air. While wind availability can be inconsistent, it offers a renewable and clean energy source.
- Geothermal Energy: This type of energy taps into the Earth's internal heat, but it is limited to specific regions with volcanic or tectonic activity.
- Hydropower: Hydropower generates electricity from flowing water but requires large water reservoirs, making it geographically restricted.
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Environmental impact
Japan's energy policy is based on the principle of "S + 3E", which stands for Safety, Energy Security, Economic Efficiency, and Environmental Sustainability. However, Japan's commitment to environmental sustainability has been challenged by its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which are the dominant source of energy in the country. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 88% of Japan's primary energy, with oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) being the most consumed fossil fuels.
The burning of fossil fuels has severe environmental impacts, as it contributes to global warming and air pollution. Japan has been one of the largest carbon dioxide emitters globally, and its high electricity demand from its manufacturing industry further exacerbates this issue. The Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 led to a decrease in nuclear energy use, which further increased the country's reliance on fossil fuels.
Oil consumption has been identified as the most significant contributor to environmental degradation in Japan. A 1% increase in oil consumption is associated with a 0.65% increase in CO2 emissions. This shift towards oil consumption began in the late 1950s due to its cost-effectiveness and higher energy density, and by the 1970s, oil dominated Japan's energy mix, accounting for over 70% of its energy requirements.
Japan has taken steps towards reducing its environmental impact by diversifying its energy sources and increasing its reliance on renewable energy. In 2019, renewable energy accounted for 7.8% of Japan's primary energy supply, and the country has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, Japan has set a goal to reduce the share of coal in electricity generation from 31% in 2022 to 19% by 2030, with plans to close or suspend about 90% of inefficient coal-fired power plants.
Anti-coal disputes and climate activism have also emerged in Japan, with communities mobilizing to confront issues of inequality, justice, global warming, air and water pollution, and health repercussions associated with the use of fossil fuels. The expansion of renewable energy capacity in Japan, such as biomass fuel and renewable power auctions, demonstrates a growing commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of fossil fuels and transitioning towards more sustainable energy sources.
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Energy consumption
Japan's energy consumption is dominated by fossil fuels, with oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) being the most used sources. In 2019, fossil fuels constituted about 87% of the country's energy mix, with petroleum contributing the highest share (40%) of overall energy usage. Oil has historically been the largest source of primary energy consumption in Japan, although its share has declined over time, from 80% in the 1970s to 50.2% in 2001 and 43% in 2011. As of 2019, oil remains a significant energy source, with the industrial, non-energy consumption, and transportation sectors being the major consumers.
Japan's heavy reliance on fossil fuels is due to its limited domestic energy resources. In 2012, the country met less than 15% of its total primary energy use from domestic sources, making it the second-largest net importer of fossil fuels globally, only behind China. Japan's fossil fuel imports come primarily from the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia being the largest supplier of oil, accounting for 33% of the import portfolio. Other Middle Eastern countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran are also notable sources of oil for Japan.
The country's dependence on fossil fuel imports has led to challenges in energy security and vulnerability to external supply disruptions. For example, the 1973 oil crisis exposed Japan's vulnerability, triggering efforts to diversify its energy sources. Similarly, the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 led to a suspension of nuclear power plant operations and a subsequent increase in fossil fuel reliance. This resulted in Japan becoming the world's largest importer of LNG and the third-largest importer of coal in 2012.
To address these issues, Japan has been working towards reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of renewable and nuclear energy. The country has set goals for carbon neutrality and aims to lower its CO2 emissions. In 2008, Japan produced 322 million tons of biomass fuel, and the proportion of electricity generated from biomass power has been steadily increasing. Additionally, Japan has been investing in renewable energy sources such as wind, geothermal, and solar power. The introduction of the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) scheme in 2012 has also helped increase the installed capacity of renewable energy.
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Frequently asked questions
Japan's main fossil fuels are oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Fossil fuels constitute about 87% of Japan's energy mix, with petroleum contributing a high share (40%) of overall energy usage.
Japan has limited domestic energy resources and is highly dependent on fossil fuel imports. In 2012, Japan sourced 83% of its crude oil imports from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is the largest supplier of oil to Japan, making up 33% of the import portfolio.
In the 1950s, coal supplied half of Japan's energy needs. By the 1970s, oil dominated Japan's energy mix, accounting for over 70% of its energy requirements. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Japan abandoned nuclear energy and increased its reliance on fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas.
