An investigation on natural gas utilization development in Japan

After the Basic Plan on Energy was determined, a set of policy measures were proposed in order to accelerate a shift to natural gas: development of domestic infrastructure of natural gas utilization, making effort to lower and stabilize import prices of LNG, support for introducing gas cogeneration, etc. Also the Program to Achieve Kyoto-Protocol Target proposes to promote the natural gas shift. In these circumstances, this report summarizes the results of investigation on natural gas resources, LNG import, domestic infrastructure of natural gas utilization, current and future prices of natural gas, the development of natural gas utilization technologies, and new types of fuel for end-use. Natural gas is expected more abundant than petroleum, therefore Japan has increased its import. In addition, its prices might be lower in the future in comparison with petroleum prices. Natural gas will take more important role as a primary energy source in Japan under the support program by the Government. (author)