Agency of Natural Resources and Energy

General Coordination Division [Phone: 3501-2669 Fax: 3580-8426]

This division is in charge of the overall coordination of the affairs of the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy including control of the Agency's budget. Aside from these responsibilities, this division has overall control over the development of mineral resources, enforcement of the Mining Law, and formulation of general policies and programs concerning mineral resources and energy. It serves as the watchdog for consumer interests by ensuring propriety in the pricing of the necessities of life and pollution prevention in industries under the Agency's control. As for the administration of businesses under the jurisdiction of the Agency, this division is in charge of the licensing and examination of their exported and imported goods and implementation of the Law Concerning the Organizational Structure of Small and Medium Enterprise Organizations.

Ocean Development Office [Phone: 3501-1951 Fax: 3580-8434]

This office is in charge of planning policies and research regarding the development of Japan's seabeds and ocean development industry. It also takes charge of the research and development of mineral resources in deep seabeds and related technical developments.

Special Budget and Accounts Office [Phone: 3501-1726 Fax: 3501-1736]

This office performs accounting and auditing that concern the Coal, Petroleum and Petroleum Alternative Energy Countermeasure Special Account and Promotion of Development of Electric Power Sources Countermeasure Special Account.

Energy Policy Planning Division [Phone: 3501-0840 Fax: 3501-6946]

This division formulates Japan's policies on natural resources and energy. It conducts research and analysis, and provides information on natural resources and energy.
It is also responsible for energy supply and demand outlook.

International Affairs Division [Phone: 3501-0598 Fax: 3595-3056]

This division is in charge of Japan's external policy on natural resources and energy with respect to bilateral and multilateral international negotiations such as IEA and APEC. It gathers and analyzes information on natural resources and energy abroad and exchanges opinions with foreign governments, official organizations, and foreign firms both inside and outside Japan.

Mining Division [Phone: 3501-9918 Fax: 3580-8440]

This division is in charge of metallic and non-metallic minerals as well as nonferrous metals (excluding light metals) and clay and mineral substances. Its duties include formulating and implementing, domestic exploration plans, and budgetary, tax, tariff and other policies for minerals and other materials under its jurisdiction. It also conducts statistical surveys on domestic mineral deposits, supervises the mining, quarrying and metal refining industries. This division also has jurisdiction over the Metal Mining Agency of Japan, ensuring that the agency implements programs for fostering mineral exploration both inside and outside Japan, financing nonferrous metals stockpiling, and enforcing rare metals stockpiling.

Nuclear Energy Industry Division [Phone: 3501-1992 Fax: 3580-8447]

This division has general control over affairs concerning the research, development and utilization of nuclear energy within the jurisdiction of the ministry, and is in charge of promoting policies and plans for establishing a nuclear fuel cycle, securing uranium resources, enrichment of nuclear fuel processing and reprocessing, and the control and disposal of radioactive waste.

Planning Division [Phone: 3501-2773 Fax: 3580-8449]

This division coordinates the overall affairs of the Petroleum Department. As such, the division is concerned with enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Law, and supervision of the Petroleum Council and Japan National Oil Corporation. This division continuously monitors the petroleum situation in order to formulate basic domestic policies and plans concerning petroleum, petroleum products and petroleum supply, and is involved in the planning and coordination of policies related to the stockpiling of petroleum and petroleum products and the receipt of domestic crude oil, self-developed crude oil, and Government to Government (GG) crude oil. The funding and accounting of entrepreneurial undertakings related to petroleum products is also under the jurisdiction of this division, as is entrepreneurial activities related to petroleum products, and pricing of petroleum and petroleum products.

Petroleum Refining and Reserve Division [Phone: 3501-1993 Fax: 3580-8467]

This division is in charge of affairs related to the oil refining industry of Japan. These affairs naturally include the industry's production plans, the importation of petroleum and the adjustment of supply and demand. However, this division is also concerned with ensuring the quality of petroleum products and promoting the technological improvement of the refining industry through the introduction of new technology and new types of refining equipment. In addition, the division is in charge of matters related to pollution prevention, safety, and the location of refineries. As far as its responsibilities are concerned on the commercial side, they include licensing for construction, enlargement and up-grading of refining facilities, giving approval for takeovers and mergers of refineries.

Petroleum Reserve Office [Phone: 3501-1827 Fax: 3580-8542]

This division provides guidance, coordination and financing for petroleum stockpiling in cooperation with the Japan National Oil Corporation.
The division is responsible for enforcement of the Petroleum Stockpiling Law, which lays obligations on private companies to maintain strategic reserves of petroleum and petroleum products. To ensure this, it provides financial assistance to private companies, such as financing to oil refinery companies for the construction of petroleum storage facilities.
The division is also concerned with the management of subsidies for the location of petroleum storage facilities, and research and development of petroleum stockpiling technology.
The division delegates work concerning the management of subsidies for the location of oil refinery facilities to the regional bureaus of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Distribution Division [Phone: 3501-1320 Fax: 3501-1837]

This division is concerned with affairs pertaining to the distribution of petroleum and petroleum products. This work includes the enforcement of the Petroleum Pipeline Business Law and the Law on the Quality Control of Gasoline and Other Fuels, making adjustments in supply to reflect demand, ensuring propriety in transactions involving liquefied petroleum gas, and acceptance of notification to establish petroleum product selling businesses.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industries Office [Phone: 3591-1320]

This office is concerned with making supply adjustments to reflect demand, ensuring of propriety in liquefied petroleum gas transactions, and acceptance of notification to establish petroleum product selling businesses.

Exploration and Production Division [Phone: 3501-1817 Fax: 3580-8563]

This division is concerned with the development of petroleum and inflammable natural gas resources. The division formulates policies for development of petroleum and inflammable natural gas in Japan, the continental shelf adjacent to Japan, and overseas. It works closely with the Japan National Oil Corporation on petroleum and natural gas development and is in charge of policies concerning liquefied natural gas.

Planning Division [Phone: 3501-1728 Fax: 3580-5308]

This division handles overall coordination of affairs concerning the coal industry. Duties of the division include planning of coal policy, coal supply and demand outlook, determination of the coal price index, formulation of financial plans for the coal mining industry, supervision of management and accounting in the coal mining industry, and affairs concerning labor management in the coal mining industry. It also conducts coordination of the affairs of the department and promotes structural adjustment of the coal mining industry.
This division is also in charge of coordination of affairs concerning energy conservation and alternative energy. This includes the planning of comprehensive policies and programs concerning energy conservation and the development and utilization of alternative energy sources.

International Affairs Office [Phone: 3501-1071 Fax: 3501-1367]

This office is in charge of policy concerning international affairs on coal and on energy conservation and new energy.

Coal Mining Area Development Office [Phone: 3501-1957 Fax: 3501-8570]

This office administers affairs related to the promotion of coal-producing regions, including enforcement of the Law on Extraordinary Measures for the Development of Coal Mining Areas, Supervision of the Japan Regional Development Corporation, and affairs concerning the Coal Mining Area Development Council.

Office for the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization [Phone: 3501-3649 Fax: 3501-1367]

This office supervises the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, (NEDO) and is responsible for the overall coordination of work among the divisions. It also coordinates the medium- and long-term projects of the organization.

Coal Industry Division [Phone: 3501-1727 Fax: 3580-8564]

This division is in charge of the structural adjustment measures of Japan's coal mining industry, and the development and promotion of environment-friendly technology for the production and use of coal (clean coal technology). It administers the coal mining industry, including the development of coal resources, and deals with mining rights. In addition, it promotes the development of clean coal technologies such as pressurized fluid bed combustion, and the development of infrastructure to enable the extensive use of such technologies abroad.

Environmental Restoration Division [Phone: 3501-1847 Fax: 3580-8575]

This division promotes restoration works in the case of mine damage caused by mining of coal and lignite. It also investigates the cause of mine damage and settles related conflicts.

New Energy Policy Division [Phone: 3501-4031 Fax: 3501-1365]

This division's functions include:
(1)Planning of comprehensive policies and programs concerning the development and utilization of new energy as well as overall coordination in implementing these programs.
(2)Enforcement of the Law Concerning Promotion of the Use of New Energy.
(3)Research, analysis and provision of information on new energy.

Energy Efficiency Policy Division [Phone:3501-9726 Fax: 3580-8439]

This division is in charge of (1) formulating comprehensive energy efficiency policies, plans and general coordination of affairs concerning the saving of fuel such as petroleum and coal, and energy such as electricity, (2) researching, analyzing and providing energy efficiency information, and (3) enforcing the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy.

Planning Division [Phone:3501-1746 Fax:3580-3675]

This division conducts general coordination of affairs of the Public Utilities Department and plans policies for heat, gas and electrical power supply.
The division is also in charge of approval of the start of electric supply business and the transfer of such enterprises.

Research Office [Phone: 3501-6286 Fax: 3580-8484]

This office analyzes electricity demand including home-plant power generation and conducts surveys on the outlook for Japanese electricity demand. Moreover, it conducts publicity activities concerning electricity, gas, and heat supply.
It collects and compiles actual results of generating and receiving electricity, electricity demand, home-plant power generation and publishes the results under the administration of the Electricity Utilities Industry Law.

Heat Supply Industry Office [Phone: 3501-3547 Fax: 3580-8481]

This office provides guidance and overseeing of the heat supply industry in accordance with the Heat Supply Business Law. The major activities are (1) to issue permits to conduct heat supply businesses, (2) to approve heat supply rules (including heat supply rates) and (3) to carry out affairs related to construction plans and safety problems, including inspection conducted prior to use. The office also provides fundamental support for the heat supply business to promote its development. In addition, it provides assistance to projects and technological development to promote heat supply systems in regional areas using unused energy resources, such as temperature differences of river water, sea water and sewage and waste heat at waste incineration plants and subways.

Electric Power Administration Division [Phone: 3501-1748 Fax: 3580-8485]

This division is in charge of matters concerning approval of electricity rates and other supply conditions of electricity. It also supervises accounting and taxation of electric utilities.

Electric Power Development Division [Phone: 3501-1749 Fax: 3580-8591]

In order to maintain the supply balance of electric power, the division is in charge of affairs related to plans on electric power supply and power generating fuels. It is also in charge of the planning and implementation of measures in relation to location of the electric power facilities and the development of areas adjacent to electric power generating facilities.

Electric Power Facility Division [Phone: 3501-1742 Fax: 3580-8486]

This division administers technical affairs related to electrical equipment, enforces the Electric Work Specialist Law and supervises the Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation. Administrative duties cover the construction, maintenance and safe operation of electrical facilities, maintenance of voltage and frequency, supervision of general electric works, supervision of electrical engineering works, metering of electricity, regulation of electrical goods, prevention of electrical accidents, and supervision related to security communications equipment.
This division also deals with thermal and hydroelectric power generation matters. It also handles some matters involving boilers and turbines in nuclear power generation. Thermal electric generation includes oil, coal, LNG thermal power generation and geothermal power generation. Concerning the above electric power generation, the main tasks of the division pursuant to the Electricity Utilities Industries Law are:
(1) authorization of construction plans of power generating plants, (2) inspection and preparation of technical standards for power generation, (3) implementation of inspection prior to use, regular inspection and welding inspection, (4) authorization of dam and water way senior engineers and boiler and turbine senior engineers.
The division conducts environmental assessments in the siting of all kinds of power stations having larger than a certain power generation capacity, taking into consideration the increasing importance of environmental protection in recent years.
The division delegates the work of authorization of construction plans, inspection prior to use and regular inspection of power generation facilities having an output of less than a certain power generation capacity to regional bureaus of the ministry.
The division also delegates welding inspection to the Japan Power Engineering and Inspection Corporation.

Electric Power Technology Office [Phone: 3501-2503 Fax: 3501-8492]

This office conducts the following:
(1) surveys the flow of rivers and streams, (2) balances the interests of landowners with water use, (3) draws up development plans, (4) offers recommendations to the governors of municipal authorities.
The office also promotes technology development in electricity generation. Its duties include: (1) research and development of thermal and hydroelectric power generation technology and (2) international cooperation in electricity power generation.

Nuclear Power Division [Phone: 3501-6291 Fax: 3580-8493]

This division supervises the general development of Japan's nuclear power generation. Its main roles are:
(1) conducting research into nuclear power generation, and formulating nuclear development plans, (2) promoting efficient utilization of nuclear fuels by balancing supply and demand, (3) supporting domestic efforts to upgrade technology of Light Water Reactors (LWR), (4) promoting development and utilization of new-type reactors, (5) promoting public acceptance of nuclear power, (6) executing necessary procedures in plant construction (public hearings, etc.) and (7) performing other necessary administrative functions related to nuclear power development.

Nuclear Power Safety Policy Division [Phone: 3501-6289 Fax: 3580-8535]

This division is in charge of policies concerning the safety of nuclear power generation and permission for installation and dismantling of nuclear power reactors pursuant to the Regulation Law.
It also conducts the countermeasures to administrative litigation related to the permission of installation and affairs regarding international cooperation for securing the safety of nuclear power generation.

Nuclear Power Safety Administration Division [Phone: 3501-9547 Fax: 3501-1848]

This division is in charge of safety maintenance in nuclear power station pursuant to laws and orders. Its duties include:
(1) approval of construction plans for power generating nuclear facilities, (2) regular inspection of nuclear power facilities, (3) study on nuclear power generation safety technology.

Nuclear Power Operating Administration Office [Phone: 3501-1637 Fax: 3580-8539]

This office looks into the causes of any incidents occurring at nuclear power stations, and plans countermeasures. The office provides guidance and supervises the operation of nuclear power stations through specialists who are stationed at each power station.

Gas Utility Industry Division [Phone: 3501-2963 Fax: 3580-8541]

This division regulates the gas utility industry including the licensing of businesses and rates and promotes the healthy growth of the industry and to secure the interests of gas users.

Gas Safety and Technology Division [Phone: 3501-4032 Fax: 3501-1856]

The gas utility industry which supplies gas to the general public is under various government control in terms of operation and safety as provided for by the Gas Utility Industry Law enacted in 1954. This division handles safety in the industry, from the authorization procedures required for installation of gas works, and extends guidance to promote the healthy development of the industry and to protect the interests of gas users. The major concerns of this division are:
(1) licensing, authorization, registration and inspection of gas works, (2) construction, maintenance and operation of gas works, (3) rationalization of the use of raw materials required for the gas utility industry and administrative control of gas appliances, (4) investigation of gas accidents and measures for preventing such accidents, and (5) licensing of chief gas engineers.
The division delegates the major portion of its work to regional bureaus of the ministry. Gas utilities under direct control of the division are those with one million or more household users and those with a supply territory involving two or more regional bureaus of the ministry.
This division also handles research and development concerning gas-related technology.