Energy in Japan

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.

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.Japan

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.

Electrical power supply

The standard voltage at power outlets is 100V, but there are two frequencies in use, 50Hz and 60Hz (see [http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2225.html Japanese electricity] ).

Utilities

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

Energy supply

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. [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Japan/Background.html Country Analysis Briefs - Japan] , "US Energy Information Administration", published January 2004, accessdate 2007-05-10]

ee also

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

References

*loc - [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/jptoc.html Japan]