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Gas station in Hiroshima

Japan lacks significant domestic sources of fossil energy except coal and must import substantial amounts of crude oil, natural gas, and other energy resources, including uranium. In 1990 Japan's dependence on imports for primary energy stood at more than 84%, and the country had a total energy requirement of 428.2 million tons of petroleum equivalent.

[edit] Energy use

Japan's rapid industrial growth since the end of World War II doubled the nation's energy consumption every five years into the 1990s. During the 1960-72 period of accelerated growth, energy consumption grew much faster than GNP, doubling Japan's consumption of world energy. By 1976, with only 3% of the world's population, Japan was consuming 6% of global energy supplies.

In 1990, consumption totalled 298 million tons: 46.7% of which was used by industry; 23.3% by the transportation sector; 26.6% for agricultural, residential, services, and other uses; and 3.3% for non-energy uses, such as lubricating oil or asphalt.

[edit] Electricity generation

In 1989 Japan was the world's third largest producer of electricity. About 75% of the available power was controlled by the ten major regional power utilities, of which Tokyo Electric Power Company was the world's largest. Electricity rates in Japan were among the world's highest.

[edit] Electrical power supply

The standard voltage at power outlets is 100V, but there are two frequencies in use, 50 Hz and 60Hz (see Japanese electricity).

[edit] Utilities

In Japan, the electricity market is uniquely divided up into 10 regulated monopolies.

Tepco	Kepco	Chubu	Tohokuden
Kyuden

[edit] Energy supply

Electricity production in Japan by source.

In 1950 coal supplied half of Japan's energy needs, hydroelectricity one-third, and oil the rest. In 1988 oil provided Japan with 57.3% of energy needs, coal 18.1%, natural gas 10.1%, nuclear power 9.0%, hydroelectic power 4.6%, geothermal power 0.1%, and 1.3% came from other sources. By 2001 the contribution of oil had declined further to 50.2% of the total, with further rises in the use of nuclear power and natural gas.^[1]

[edit] Petroleum and diversification

After the two oil crises of the 1970s, the pattern of energy consumption in Japan changed from heavy dependence on oil to some diversification to other forms of energy resources in order to increase energy security. Japan's domestic oil consumption dropped slightly, from around 5.1 million barrels of oil per day in the late 1970s to 4.9 million barrels per day in 1990. While the country's use of oil declined, its consumption of nuclear power and LNG rose substantially. Several Japanese industries, including electric power companies and steelmakers, switched from petroleum to coal, most of which is imported.

The state stockpile equals about 92 days of consumption and the privately held stockpiles equal another 77 days of consumption for a total of 169 days or 579 million barrels.^[2][3] The Japanese SPR is run by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation ^[4].

[edit] Natural gas

Because domestic natural gas production is minimal, rising demand is met by greater imports. Japan's main LNG suppliers in 1987 were Indonesia (51.3%), Malaysia (20.4%), Brunei (17.8%), Abu Dhabi (7.3%), and the United States (3.2%).

[edit] Nuclear power

See also: Nuclear power in Japan

The Japanese were working to increase the availability of nuclear power in 1985. Although Japan was a late starter in this field, it finally imported technology from the United States and obtained uranium from Canada, France, South Africa, and Australia. By 1991 the country had 42 nuclear reactors in operation, with a total generating capacity of approximately 33 million kilowatts. The ratio of nuclear power generation to total electricity production increased from 2% in 1973 to 23.6% in 1990.

During the 1980s, Japan's nuclear power program was strongly opposed by environmental groups, particularly after the Three Mile Island accident in the United States. Other problems for the program were the rising costs of nuclear reactors and fuel, the huge investments necessary for fuel enrichment and reprocessing plants, reactor failures, and nuclear waste disposal. Nevertheless, Japan continued to build nuclear power plants.

[edit] Renewable energy

Of alternative energy sources, Japan has largely exploited geothermal energy. The country had six geothermal power stations with a combined capacity of 133,000 kilowatts in 1989.

In addition, although it only makes a minor contribution to the total, Japan was the world's second largest producer of photovoltaic electricity until overtaken by Germany in 2005, a year in which it had 38% of the world supply compared to Germany's 39%^[5]

[edit] Carbon emissions

CO₂ emission per capita per year by country

GDP growth versus energy consumption showing that the two are not inextricably tied.

See also: Global warming and Kyoto Protocol

In 2003 Japan was the 5th largest producer of carbon emissions, generating 5% of the world total. In 2003 Japan ranked 36 in the list of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita.

Reports indicate Japan is having difficulty in meeting its 6% reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol in part because Japanese businesses are already very energy efficient.^[6] Despite this, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for a 50% cut in world emissions by 2050, and expects Japan to play a leading role in such an effort.^[6]

[edit] See also

Energy portal

• Energy
• World energy resources and consumption
• Nuclear power in Japan

[edit] References

• This article contains material from the Library of Congress Country Studies, which are United States government publications in the public domain. - Japan