Japan Key Figures
- Population:
- 126 million
- GDP growth rate:
- 2.70 %/year
- Energy independence:
- 12.9%
Data of the last year available: 2021
- Total consumption/GDP:*
- 72.1 (2005=100)
- CO2 Emissions:
- 8.08 tCO2/capita
- Rate of T&D power losses:
- 4.84%
* at purchasing power parity
View all macro and energy indicators in the Japan energy report
Japan Related News
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Japan Related Research
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
A data overview is available in the global energy statistics app
Total Energy Consumption
Energy consumption per capita was 3.2 toe in 2021. Electricity consumption per capita was around 7 600 kWh.
Total energy consumption decreased continuously between 2010 and 2020 (-2%/year) and then increased by nearly 5% in 2021, up to 404 Mtoe.
Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)
The share of oil in total consumption has decreased slightly since 2010 (-2 points, down to 38% in 2021).
Interactive Chart Japan Total Energy Consumption
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Japan energy report
Crude Oil Production
Japan is the world's fifth largest oil importer. Crude oil imports are decreasing regularly since 2000 (-2.4%/year over 2010-2021). Slower economic growth with an aging population, coupled with structural trends in the transport sector (shift to electric cars and reduced car use among young generations) and the gradual phaseout of oil-fired power plants are reducing the oil demand.
Supplies are diversified, but mainly come from the Middle East (around 90%). Japan's main suppliers are Saudi Arabia (around 40%) and the United Arab Emirates (31%).
Interactive Chart Japan Crude Oil Production
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our Asia Refineries Dataset
Oil Products Consumption
Oil product consumption has been decreasing steadily since 1996, except between 2010 and 2012 as the oil demand from power plants was increased by 80% to cope with the closure of nuclear plants. It declined by around 3%/year between 2012 and 2021 to reach 153 Mt, as utilities progressively switched to coal and thanks to a higher share of efficient and hybrid vehicles. Japan has the fifth highest oil consumption, after China, the United States, Russia, and India.
Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Interactive Chart Japan Refined Oil Products Production
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our Asia Refineries Dataset
Natural Gas Consumption
Gas consumption has decreased by around 2%/year since 2012. Two thirds of natural gas is used for power generation.
Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)
Graph: GAS CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)
Interactive Chart Japan Natural Gas Domestic Consumption
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Additionally, for more detailed information on the LNG trade, you can request a sample of our Asia LNG Trade Dataset
Coal Consumption
After a sharp increase between 1990 and 2007, coal consumption has been declining slightly since 2013 (-1.2%/year), reaching 180 Mt in 2021.
Electricity production absorbs 65% of the coal demand, followed by industry (31%), especially for iron and steel production.
Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)
Interactive Chart Japan Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
View the detailed consumption trends at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Japan energy report
Power Consumption
Electricity consumption has generally been decreasing since 2010, especially since 2016 (-0.8%/year on average).
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)
Industry accounts for 35% of electricity consumption, followed by services (34%) and households (26%).
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)
Renewable in % Electricity Production
The 6th Strategic Energy Plan (2021) aims to raise the share of renewables in the power mix to 36-38% (including hydropower) in 2030, with plans to make renewables the main power source in 2050 (19% in 2021).
Feed-in tariffs (FiTs) were removed in 2020 for large solar PV projects (>250 kW) and replaced by a tendering program initiated by METI. They were introduced for solar PV in 2009 (for surplus electricity production only) and for other renewables in 2011.
Interactive Chart Japan Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Learn more about renewables in the Mini grid Africa & Asia markets for village electrification
CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions
In 2021, Japan raised its NDC target from a 26% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 to 46% (2013 as base year).
GHG emissions dropped by 5.4% in FY 2020 during Covid and rose by +3.4% to 1 011 Mt in 2021. This represents a 20% decrease compared to FY 2013 (around 45% of the 2030 target).
The long-term goal, announced in 2019 in the long-term growth strategy under the Paris Agreement, is to become carbon neutral in 2050.