Japan is an island nation with virtually no oil or natural gas, and many other minerals or natural resources that have any value other than timber. It is one of the world’s largest importers of coal, liquefied natural gas, and the second largest importer of oil.
Among the few resources that Japan has are titanium and mica.
History remembers the days when Japan was the leading copper producer. Today, its huge mines in Ashio, central Honshu and Bessie on Shikoku are depleted and closed. The reserves of iron, lead, zinc, bauxite and other ores are negligible.
Geological studies in recent years have discovered a large number of places potentially rich in minerals. All of them are within the continental plume belonging to Japan. Scientists prove that these underwater deposits contain large amounts of gold, silver, manganese, chromium, nickel and other heavy metals used to produce various types of alloys. Including discovered vast reserves of methane, the production of which is able to meet the needs of the country for 100 years.
forest resources
The area of Japan is about 372.5 thousand. km2, while about 70% of the entire territory is forests. It ranks 4th in the world in terms of forest cover to area ratio after Finland and Laos.
Due to climatic conditions, deciduous and coniferous forests predominate in the land of the rising sun. It should be noted that some of them are planted artificially.
Despite the abundance of timber in the country, due to the historical and cultural characteristics of the nation, Japan often imports timber from other countries.
Land resources
Japan is considered to be a highly cultural and technologically advanced country, but not as an agrarian. Perhaps the only crop that gives good yields can be considered rice. They also try to grow other grains barley, wheat, sugar, legumes, etc., but they are not able to provide the country’s consumer capacity even by 30%.
Water resources
Mountain streams, merging into waterfalls and rivers, provide the Land of the Rising Sun not only with drinking water, but also with electricity. Most of these rivers are turbulent, which makes it possible to place hydroelectric power stations on them. The main waterways of the archipelago include rivers:
Do not forget about the waters washing the shores of the state the Sea of Japan on the one hand and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Thanks to them, the country has taken a leading position in the export of marine fish.
