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Japan Key Figures

Population:
125 million
GDP growth rate:
1.03 %/year
Energy independence:
13.2%

Data of the last year available: 2022

Total consumption/GDP:*
70.2 (2005=100)
CO2 Emissions:
7.79 tCO2/capita
Rate of T&D power losses:
4.93%

* at purchasing power parity

View all macro and energy indicators in the Japan energy report

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 3.1 toe in 2022. Electricity consumption per capita was around 7.4 MWh.

In 2022, and after a strong rebound in 2021, total energy consumption resumed the decreasing trend it has had since 2010 (-2%/year), reaching 390 Mtoe.

The energy intensity is decreasing rapidly (2.6%/year since 2010).

Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)

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 increased by 5% in 2022 but are still 9% below their 2019 level.

As part of an IEA initiative of a coordinated release of 60 mbl of oil to mitigate surging crude oil prices, Japan started releasing 7.5 mbl oil from privately held reserves in May 2022. The latter represents 1.5% of the country's reserves and accounts for 241 days of domestic demand.

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 generally been decreasing since 1996, except between 2010 and 2012 and since 2020. The increase over 2010-2012 was driven by an 80% progression in the oil demand of power plants to cope with the closure of nuclear plants. It declined by around 3%/year between 2012 and 2022 to 144 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 (2022, %)

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 (-1.1%/year), reaching 179Mt in 2022.

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 (2022, %)

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 been slowly decreasing since 2010 (-0.7%/year on average).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)

Industry accounts for 36% of electricity consumption, followed by services (34%) and households (27%).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2022, %)

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 increased by 2.6% in 2022. They remained stable in 2021 after a 5.4% drop in 2020, during Covid. 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.