Japan relies heavily on imports to meet its energy requirements because of a scarcity of natural resources. It is estimated that imports cover 80% of Japan’s primary energy needs. In terms of domestic energy resources, it is only 16% self-sufficient. Prior to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster of 11 March 2011, Japan had relied heavily on nuclear energy with around 30% of electricity originating from this source. Renewable energy, natural gas and oil are projected to take the market share previously occupied by nuclear fuel in the coming years. Find out more about Japan's energy sector below.
With an energy self-sufficiency rate of only 8% in 2016, Japan has to import most of its energy resources from other countries.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Japan is currently the world's largest liquefied natural gas importer and ranks in the top four countries for the highest coal imports, net imports of petroleum and other liquids, and consumption of crude oi
Japan has a variety of renewable energy resources, including geothermal, hydropower, wind and solar energy as well as biomass.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese government and the major utilities experienced a largescale energy shortage due to the shutdown of nuclear power plants and the limitations of the existing grid system.
This website and related activities are managed by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, a joint venture between the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government's Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI).
