Energy in Japan

Electricity pylons in Japan

Japan is a major consumer of energy, ranking fifth in the world by primary energy use. Fossil fuels accounted for 88% of Japan's primary energy in 2019.[1][2] Japan imports most of its energy due to scarce domestic resources. As of 2022, the country imports 97% of its oil and is the larger liquefied natural gas (LNG) importer globally.[3]

Japan is increasing its reliance on renewable energy to replace imported fossil fuels, and in 2019 renewable energy accounted for 7.8% of primary energy supply. Japan has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, setting a target to reduce GHG emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by 2030.[4]

Japan initiated its first commercial nuclear power reactor in 1966, establishing nuclear energy as a strategic national priority from 1973 onwards. Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, this strategy underwent re-evaluation but was ultimately upheld. Prior to the accident, nuclear reactors contributed about 30% of Japan's electricity, with the country now aiming for nuclear energy to account for at least 20% of its electricity production by 2030.[5] The Fukushima accident also lead to a 16% reduction in total primary energy supply (TPES) from 2010 to 2019.

  1. ^ "Japan 2021 – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Japan 2021 Energy Policy Review" (PDF). International Energy Agency.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "How Japan is accelerating efforts towards a carbon-neutral society". World Economic Forum. 16 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Nuclear Power in Japan | Japanese Nuclear Energy - World Nuclear Association". world-nuclear.org. Retrieved 24 February 2024.