The United States is considered energy-rich primarily because it has abundant domestic energy resources including oil, natural gas, coal, and renewable energy sources. It benefits from significant energy production capacity, a diversified energy supply, and substantial energy infrastructure. This allows the U.S. to meet a large portion of its energy demand from domestic sources, reducing reliance on imports. In contrast, Japan is considered energy-poor because it has very scarce domestic energy resources and relies heavily on importing fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Japan's energy self-sufficiency ratio is very low, around 12% (as of recent years), meaning it imports the vast majority of its energy needs. This heavy dependence on imported energy makes the country vulnerable to international market fluctuations, supply disruptions, and high energy costs. Additionally, Japan's energy challenges are compounded by limited access to some lower- carbon energy sources domestically and the need to balance energy security with environmental goals.
Key Differences
- United States: Large, diverse domestic energy resources; significant oil, natural gas, coal production; strong energy infrastructure; less import-dependent.
- Japan: Very limited domestic energy resources; heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels; low energy self-sufficiency; vulnerable to external supply and price shocks.
This fundamental contrast is why the U.S. is labeled energy-rich and Japan energy-poor.