Japan Aims to Cut Oil Dependence to Below 40 Pct By 2030

Tokyo, March 7 (Jiji Press)–Japan aims to reduce its dependence on oil for energy from the current 50 pct to less than 40 pct by 2030, in line with levels in other key industrialized countries, according to a new national energy plan revealed Tuesday.

The plan, presented by Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai to the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, a policy panel chaired by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, also calls for the nation’s reliance on oil for transportation to be reduced to 80 pct from near 100 pct at present.

Under the plan, Japan will aim to raise the share of imported oil from Japanese-developed oil fields to 40 pct from 15 pct.

It also urges the country to improve energy efficiency by 30 pct and increase the share of nuclear energy in total electricity supply to at least 30 to 40 pct.END