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Japan Resource Reserves (2026)

1980

2023

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration · Updated June 2026

1980

2023

What to know

As of 2023, coal dominated Japan's reserves at 385.8 million short tons recoverable. It also held 0.044 billion barrels of oil and 0.738 trillion cubic feet of gas. Over the last decade, coal reserves held roughly steady. EIA stopped publishing oil and gas proved reserves in 2023; the figures above use the latest archived release, while coal continues to update through 2023.

Key reserves

Oil reserves (2021)

0.04 B bbl

Natural gas reserves (2021)

0.74 TCF

Coal reserves (2023)

385.8 M ST

Key terms

Proved reserves: — Quantities of crude oil or natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions.
Recoverable reserves: — Coal that can be technically and economically extracted with current mining methods at current prices. Excludes inaccessible deposits.
Billion barrels (B bbl): — Unit for oil reserves. One barrel equals 42 US gallons or about 159 litres.
Trillion cubic feet (TCF): — Unit for natural gas reserves. One TCF is roughly 28.3 billion cubic metres.
Million short tons (M ST): — Unit for coal reserves. One short ton equals 2,000 lb or 907 kg.

Crude oil proved reserves

In 2021, Japan had 0.044 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves. Over the prior decade, those reserves held roughly steady.

Natural gas proved reserves

In 2021, Japan held 0.738 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas reserves. Reserves held roughly steady over the prior decade.

Coal recoverable reserves

As of 2023, Japan's recoverable coal reserves totaled 385.8 million short tons. That held roughly steady compared with a decade earlier.

The bottom line

Japan's reserve base was dominated by coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel by energy content.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration · Updated June 2026

What to know

As of 2023, coal dominated Japan's reserves at 385.8 million short tons recoverable. It also held 0.044 billion barrels of oil and 0.738 trillion cubic feet of gas. Over the last decade, coal reserves held roughly steady. EIA stopped publishing oil and gas proved reserves in 2023; the figures above use the latest archived release, while coal continues to update through 2023.

Key reserves

Oil reserves (2021)

0.04 B bbl

Natural gas reserves (2021)

0.74 TCF

Coal reserves (2023)

385.8 M ST

Key terms

Proved reserves: — Quantities of crude oil or natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions.
Recoverable reserves: — Coal that can be technically and economically extracted with current mining methods at current prices. Excludes inaccessible deposits.
Billion barrels (B bbl): — Unit for oil reserves. One barrel equals 42 US gallons or about 159 litres.
Trillion cubic feet (TCF): — Unit for natural gas reserves. One TCF is roughly 28.3 billion cubic metres.
Million short tons (M ST): — Unit for coal reserves. One short ton equals 2,000 lb or 907 kg.

The bottom line

Japan's reserve base was dominated by coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel by energy content.

China

Russian Federation

Republic of Korea

North Korea

Taiwan

What to know

Key reserves

Crude oil proved reserves

Natural gas proved reserves

Coal recoverable reserves

The bottom line

China

Russian Federation

Republic of Korea

North Korea

Taiwan

What to know

Key reserves

Crude oil proved reserves

Natural gas proved reserves

Coal recoverable reserves

The bottom line