Dependency rate on fossil fuel imports Japan 2022, by type

In 2022, Japan depended on imports for most of its fossil fuel supply. Close to a hundred percent of the crude oil and coal supply was covered by imports, and the dependency rate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports stood at approximately 97.8 percent. 

Japan remains dependent on energy imports

Fossil fuels remained the energy source that had the largest share in electricity production in Japan, adding up to over 70 percent. Accordingly, petroleum was the source with the highest share of energy consumption. Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remained the largest supplier of crude oil imports to Japan.
Even though the import figures keep decreasing, Japan continued to represent one of the largest global importers of LNG. Although Japan diversified its suppliers for LNG, gas shortages resulted in increased electricity prices in recent years, highlighting the vulnerability of the current system.

Japan's efforts to become more independent

However, the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production increased to over 20 percent in recent years. The island nation currently works on increasing its share of nuclear and renewable energy to become more independent of energy imports, and reduce electricity costs while reducing its carbon footprint. Consequently, the self-sufficiency rate of primary energy increased significantly in recent years.