Energy in the form of electricity or gas underpins the fundamentals of our daily lives. Nowadays, Japan depends on the Middle East region for almost 90% of its demand of oil, the energy source that accounts for 50% of Japan's total supply of primary energy. Under the existing circumstances, the securing of a stable supply of energy is an important issue for the future of the country.

In order to realize the fundamental objective of our energy policy, which is to realize a stable supply of energy while responding to requirements for environmental preservation and efficiency, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy promotes the following measures.

In terms of measures on demand, the Agency advances energy-conservation measures, such as expansion of the top-runner standard. In terms of supply, the Agency is engaged in strengthening the cooperation with oil-producing countries, independent and efficient development of oil resources, and implementation of stock-piling policies. In addition, under the objective of optimizing the energy resource structure, the Agency promotes nuclear power generation that emits no carbon dioxide in the process of power generation, while fellowing the fundamental premise of maintaining safety, and advances the introduction of natural gas and new energies.