Natural Resources Japan Imports

Japan, resource-poor, imports ~90% of its energy and most minerals:

1. Fossil Fuels (Energy Security Core)

• Crude Oil: ~3M bpd. Sources: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia (declining).
• LNG: World's largest importer (~70 MT/yr). Sources: Australia, Malaysia, Qatar, US, Russia (Sakhalin).
• Coal: Thermal (power) + Coking (steel). Sources: Australia (60%), Indonesia, Russia.

2. Minerals & Metals (Industrial Base)

• Iron Ore: Australia, Brazil, India.
• Copper: Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Canada.
• Aluminum/Bauxite: Australia, Guinea, Indonesia.
• Nickel: Indonesia, Philippines, New Caledonia.
• Rare Earths: China (dominant), Vietnam, Australia (developing).
• Lithium/Cobalt: Australia, Chile, DRC (via China).

3. Food (Caloric Security)

• Wheat, Corn, Soybeans → USA, Brazil, Canada.
• Meat (Beef, Pork, Chicken) → USA, Australia, EU.
• Seafood → China, Chile, Thailand, Russia.

Strategic Response

Stockpiling (JOGMEC), overseas equity stakes (JOGMEC, JBIC), recycling (urban mining), renewables/nuclear restart, methane hydrate R&D.