Japan seeks to diversify energy imports away from Middle East

Japan is moving to diversify its energy procurement sources and transport routes to mitigate extreme energy insecurity. The nation relies on overseas imports for 99.9 per cent of its oil, 99.7 per cent of its coal, and 97.8 per cent of its natural gas.

Historically, Japan has sourced more than 90 per cent of its crude oil from the Middle East. However, officials are now seeking to reduce this dependency, a shift that could signal broader trends for other major Asian energy importers. South Korea has already announced plans to reduce its reliance on the Middle East, and India has been working toward diversification.

This strategic shift challenges traditional geographic and economic logic, as the proximity of the Middle East to the Far East has long made oil shipments from that region commercially efficient. The move reflects an effort to rectify past policy vulnerabilities and potentially transition away from oil use in transportation.