Middle East crisis exposes Japan’s energy vulnerability, renewables advocate warns
Tokyo, Japan must reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels to shield its economy from geopolitical shocks, the chair of the Renewable Energy Institute said, as the escalating Middle East conflict has disrupted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the country’s heavy dependence on energy imports.
Tomas Kaberger, chair of the Tokyo-based institute’s executive board, said the crisis had underscored Japan’s exposure to supply disruptions and rising fuel costs as tensions in the region intensify.
Japan relies on the Middle East for about 95% of its crude oil imports and roughly 11% of its liquefied natural gas supplies, according to industry estimates. Around 70% of its oil shipments and 6% of LNG imports typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor.
The halt in tanker traffic through the strait has triggered sharp increases in fuel prices, placing additional pressure on energy-importing economies such as Japan.
“When fossil fuel imports are cut, the power plants stop and your cars stop running,” Kaberger told Reuters in an interview last week, describing the risks posed by reliance on overseas fuel supplies.
He said the current crisis involving Iran served as a reminder that fossil-fuel dependence exposes economies to geopolitical tensions and price volatility.
The renewed focus on energy security comes as Japan marks 15 years since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which transformed public attitudes toward nuclear power and reshaped the country’s energy policy.
Kaberger cautioned against viewing nuclear energy as a long-term solution, arguing that large centralized power plants could be vulnerable to modern military threats such as drones and precision strikes.
He pointed to damage inflicted on energy infrastructure during the Russia-Ukraine war as evidence that large facilities can be targeted during conflicts.
Instead, Kaberger said decentralized renewable systems including solar, wind and battery storage could provide stronger resilience because they distribute generation across multiple locations.
He added that advances in renewable technology have altered Japan’s long-standing perception of resource scarcity. While the country was historically considered resource-poor due to limited reserves of oil, coal, gas and uranium, falling costs of solar and wind power have shifted the landscape.
“In the 21st century, with solar, wind and battery technologies becoming the world’s cheapest forms of power generation, Japan is resource-rich,” Kaberger said.
