Japan's Energy Problem - A Reality Directly Linked to Our Lives
Introduction - From the moment we wake up until we go to bed at night, everything depends on energy
In the morning, I wake up to my smartphone alarm, heat up bread in the microwave, and take the train to work.
During work, I use a computer, buy a convenience store bento, go home, and watch TV.
In this casual day-to-day life, have you ever thought about how much energy you use, such as electricity, gas, and gasoline?
In fact, Japan buys about 90% of this energy from overseas.
In other words, if oil and gas stopped coming into Japan starting tomorrow, our lives would instantly become unsustainable.
In February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, European countries faced a dire situation.
Gas supplies from Russia stopped, heating costs tripled, and factories stopped running.
The whole world was shocked, thinking, 'How could something like this happen in the 21st century?'
But in reality, Japan is in an even more dangerous situation than Europe.
This is because Japan's energy self-sufficiency rate (the percentage of energy that can be produced domestically) is only 11.8%.
I will explain what this means in an easy-to-understand way.
Chapter 1: The Reality of Japan in Numbers - Among the Worst Levels for Developed Countries
Japan's energy self-sufficiency rate of 11.8% is an abnormally low figure among developed countries. Let's compare it with other countries.
Norway: Over 400% (abundant oil and natural gas)
Canada: 180% (abundant hydroelectric power and fossil fuels)
United States: Nearly 100% (recently, oil and natural gas can be extracted domestically)
France: 55% (operating many nuclear power plants)
Japan: 11.8%
This difference is obvious.
Looking in more detail, the percentage of Japan's reliance on imports is:
Oil: 87%
Natural gas: 95%
Coal: 99%
Moreover, 90% of this is purchased from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
In other words, it is a dangerous situation, like 'putting all your eggs in one basket'.
If war or political upheaval were to occur in these regions, Japan would instantly fall into an energy shortage.
This is not just an economic issue, but a major problem concerning the very survival of the nation.
Chapter 2: Why did this happen? - Post-war Japan's choices
'Why did Japan come to rely so heavily on overseas energy?'
It dates back to the era of post-war reconstruction.
In the 1950s and 60s, Japan underwent a 'major shift from coal to oil'.
This is because oil is more efficient and can also be used as a material for cars and chemical products.
At the time, the Middle East was stable, and the United States was protecting the safety of the seas. It was natural to think that 'cheap oil could always be bought safely'.
However, in 1973, that premise collapsed.
Middle Eastern countries declared, 'We are raising the price of oil! We are also reducing supply!' (The First Oil Shock).
Long lines formed at gas stations all over Japan, and a panic ensued where toilet paper disappeared from shelves.
Furthermore, after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, anxiety about nuclear power increased, and reliance on thermal power generation grew even stronger.
As a result of seeking safety, dependence on overseas sources actually became more serious.
Chapter 3: Japan's lifeline - A narrow strait of only 33 kilometers
80% of the oil Japan imports passes through a place called the 'Strait of Hormuz'.
This strait is only 33 kilometers wide.
If this narrow strait were to become impassable for any reason, Japan would run out of oil in a few weeks.
It may sound like an exaggeration, but this is a true story.
Around the Strait of Hormuz, various countries are in conflict, such as Iran and the United States, and Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
In fact, in 1987, attacks on ships occurred, and various countries deployed warships to carry out operations to protect the vessels.
What is even more worrying is that China is strengthening its military power in the South China Sea.
Tankers carrying oil from the Middle East must pass through the South China Sea.
If China were to say, 'This sea area is off-limits,' Japan's energy supply would suffer a major blow.
In other words, Japan's energy is in a very unstable situation, completely at the mercy of the political situation in places 8,000 kilometers away.
Chapter 4: Is a crisis an opportunity? - Japan's technological prowess
'Having no resources' is certainly difficult, but in fact, this has also created Japan's strengths in some respects.
Because energy is expensive, Japanese companies desperately developed 'technology to create many things with little energy'.
As a result:
Fuel-efficient hybrid cars
Energy-saving home appliances
Efficient factory technology
These technologies are now used all over the world and have become important export products for Japan.
It could be said that we have "turned a crisis into an opportunity."
However, no matter how much technology advances, as long as we rely on overseas sources for energy itself, the fundamental problem will not be solved.
We still need to increase our ability to produce energy domestically.
Chapter 5: The Reality of Natural Energy - Expectations and Limitations
You might think, "Then why not just increase solar and wind power?"
While these natural energy sources are certainly important, Japan faces unique challenges.
Solar power
Japan has many cloudy and rainy days
There is little flat land, leading to competition with rice paddies and residential areas
Many solar panels are made in China (a new dependency)
Wind power
Offshore wind is promising, but coordination with the fishing industry is difficult
Environmental impact assessments take time
Power grid infrastructure needs to be developed
Geothermal power
Japan has the third-largest geothermal resources in the world, but much of it is within national parks
Development takes over 10 years
Considering these factors, it is not easy to solve Japan's energy problems with natural energy alone.
We need to combine multiple methods.
Chapter 6: The Option of Nuclear Power - An Unavoidable Discussion
Since the Fukushima nuclear accident, anxiety regarding nuclear power has grown.
However, when considering energy security, we need to discuss nuclear power calmly.
In 2010, before the accident, Japan's nuclear power ratio was 26%.
At that time, our energy self-sufficiency rate was 20%.
As a result of the number of currently operating nuclear plants decreasing to about 10, the self-sufficiency rate has fallen to 11.8%.
France achieves an energy self-sufficiency rate of 55% with a 70% nuclear power ratio.
South Korea also generates 28% of its energy from nuclear power.
These countries utilize nuclear power as "domestic energy" to reduce their dependence on foreign sources.
However, nuclear power has a major issue regarding the disposal of radioactive waste.
Furthermore, it is difficult to reuse nuclear power without the understanding and consensus of the public.
A new technology currently attracting attention is the Small Modular Reactor (SMR).
This technology, which is safer and has a shorter construction period than conventional ones, may become an option for the future.
Chapter 7: The Challenge of a Hydrogen Society - The Potential of a Technology-Based Nation
The government is aiming to realize a "hydrogen society."
Hydrogen is a clean energy that only emits water when burned.
However, hydrogen also has its challenges:
It is expensive to produce
It is difficult to store and transport
It is not yet at the stage of practical application
Nevertheless, if Japan becomes the world leader in hydrogen technology, it may be able to transform from an "energy-importing country" to an "energy-technology-exporting country."
Plans to import hydrogen from Australia and Brunei are also underway.
If we can buy energy from friendly nations instead of relying solely on the Middle East, we can diversify our risks.
Chapter 8: The New Threat of Cyberattacks
Modern energy systems are managed by computers.
Therefore, attacks by hackers have become a new threat.
In 2021, an oil pipeline in the United States was attacked by hackers and shut down for six days.
It was not physically destroyed.
Just by having its computers hijacked, the energy supply for the entire country was affected.
Japan's power plants and power grids face similar risks.
If there were state-level attacks from countries like China, Russia, or North Korea, Japan's energy system could be paralyzed.
For this reason, it is necessary to strengthen energy security and cyber defense together.
Chapter 9: Chain Reactions - Issues That Affect Every Aspect of Life
The impact of energy shortages is not limited to just gasoline and electricity.
This is because every part of modern society depends on energy.
Impact on food
Gasoline for agricultural machinery
Raw materials for fertilizer
Refrigerated and frozen transport: Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is 38%, but it would drop even further if energy were lost.
Impact on medical care
Medical equipment in hospitals
Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Cold storage for vaccines: The ultra-low temperature storage of COVID-19 vaccines would also have been impossible without electricity.
Impact on communications
Mobile base stations
The Internet
Data centers: Smartphones would become unusable, and we would be unable to obtain information.
Considering these factors, the low energy self-sufficiency rate is a serious issue that affects every aspect of our lives.
Chapter 10: Is Population Decline an Ally or an Enemy?
Japan's population continues to decline.
It is projected to drop to about 100 million by 2050.
How will this affect the energy problem?
Positive aspects
If the population decreases, energy consumption will also decrease
Self-sufficiency rate will increase even with the same power generation capacity
More land will become available, making it easier to build solar panels and wind power plants
Negative aspects
The number of technicians to maintain energy facilities will decrease
Gas stations in rural areas will close due to lack of profitability
The nation's overall infrastructure investment capacity will decline
However, in regions with declining populations, it may be cheaper to generate electricity locally using solar or wind power rather than transmitting it from large power plants.
This could eventually lead to an improvement in self-sufficiency.
Chapter 11: Future Technologies - Expectations for 2050
By 2050, we may be able to generate energy using technologies completely different from those we have today.
Space-based solar power generation This is a technology that places solar panels in space and transmits power to the ground via radio waves. It can generate power regardless of weather or time of day.
It is still in the research stage, but it would be revolutionary if realized.
Nuclear fusion power generation This is a technology that generates power using the same principle as the sun.
Since the fuel can be made from seawater, it would allow for true self-sufficiency if realized.
Artificial photosynthesis This is a technology that creates fuel from sunlight and carbon dioxide, just like plants.
Japanese chemical companies are leading the research.
If Japan becomes number one in the world with these technologies, it is possible to reverse our current position and become a 'major exporter of energy technology'.
Chapter 12: Relationship with the Economy - The Flow of Money Will Also Change
Japan pays approximately 20 trillion yen annually to overseas countries to import energy.
This calculates to 160,000 yen per person per year.
If this large sum could be used for domestic investment:
Employment within Japan would increase
New technological development would progress
The entire economy would become stronger
Increasing energy self-sufficiency is not just an energy issue; it has the effect of strengthening the entire economy.
Conclusion: The Time for Choice Has Come
The reality of Japan's 11.8% energy self-sufficiency rate means that our lives are completely at the mercy of overseas situations.
However, this is also a great opportunity.
Now that the whole world is moving toward decarbonization, if Japan can lead the world with new energy technologies, we can change from a 'country struggling with energy' to a 'country that earns money through energy technology'.
The 2030s will be a crucial decade that determines Japan's fate.
How much should we increase natural energy?
What to do about nuclear power plants
How much to invest in new technologies
These choices will determine the lives of our children and grandchildren's generations.
If we do nothing, Japan will remain permanently dependent on foreign countries. The risk that our daily lives could collapse in an instant if something happens in the Middle East is actually increasing.
Fifty years have passed since the 1973 oil shock. Japan is once again standing at a major crossroads.
Now is the time to aim to become a country that creates the future of energy, rather than one swayed by crises.
That choice depends on each and every one of us.
It is necessary not only for politicians, but for us as voters to understand the importance of this issue and raise our voices.
Becoming a 'country that never stops.' That is by no means an impossible dream.
If you found this article insightful, please share it with your family and friends. Having as many people as possible learn about this issue is the first step toward changing Japan's future.