Gemba says Japan very concerned over Iran tension

Headline should include word 'oil' like.. "Gemba says Japan very concerned about OIL Supplies over Iran tension." Anyway, Japan may be concerned about "miseries of war", it will side with West should they decide to attack Iran.

I guess it's difficult for some people to adjust to hard times. High gas prices will bring everything to a stand still.

It's time for a Great Depression here. It's not fair that the people of Fukushima suffer while the rich in Tokyo give nothing of their own. Furthermore, giving donated money to protect whaling fleets.

This is such a complicated mess. Change your car. Go Hybrid.

One of the biggest worries is Keidanren people would start screaming, "Let's build more nuclear plants in order to have stable energy source!!!"

What Gemba can do...?

Japan has to follow US actions...like or not

NetNinja, how does having a great depression help people in Fukushima. You just want to see a wider portion of Japan suffer? It is like seeing a burning person and setting someone else on fire to solve it. Makes zero sense.

Look, it is quite clear that nearly all of the economic problems in Japan are hurting people everywhere, especially those in the disaster area. But to solve this you don't invite more hardship. You find solutions to the problems.

The #1 problem in Japan today is the aquiescence and silence of the people In this terrible situation with this pathetic leadership most people of other nations would be in the streets calling for immediate change and solutions. But there is dead silence in Japan.

If you want to flog someone, flog everyone in Japan for their silence. Don't wish hardship on them. Wish that they wake up and raise their voices.

All countries need to secure black gold somehow, it is the blood of all economics.

Economies rather.

China and India are driving up the oil prices really.. supply and demand.. high demand on their part leads to higher prices.. logical.

We used to get all our oil needs from whales. Maybe we should start farming them again.

Once the oil slows down most people will be begging to start the nukes. There would just not be enough oil to keep all of the conventional ones in operation. Even with this there will be oil shortages, gasoline rationing. The people of Japan will just have to make due with less.

“We heard different statements from Iran. We heard threats and then we heard denials. I hope that this tone (the denials) will prevail in the region,”

He hopes denials prevail? He really must be a Japanese politician.

Anyway, like I said yesterday, Gemba and Japan must really be kicking themselves over the insistance and reliance on Iran for oil. They talk of sanctions and have to follow the US, but they still want Iran's oil. Can't have your cake and eat it, too.

Thirty percent of Japan’s oil supplies come from Saudi Arabia, with another 20% coming from the Emirates, 10% from Qatar and 9% from Iran.

That just makes 69% ... where does the remaining 31% come from?

Do not forget WW2 did start cause the US cut off oil supplies to Imperial era Japan, which led to the war...

Bad economy. Election looming. War in Iraq over. Military R&D companies wondering where their next meals will come from. And Iran's leaders playing right into this psychology.....

Sadly, for all of us world wide and especially for the innocent population of Iran, war seems nearly inevitable based on these factors.

Japan needs to reopen its coal mines. Then if needed build new plants or convert oil plants to coal. Second mandatory reduction of energy usage. If you want more than your share, you would have to make it yourself through solar. Japanese need to walk more, drive their cars less, drive smaller cars. There will be painful choices, the too too large American vehicles will need to be deregistered, exported or junked. Same with all of the others as well. Losing 9 percent of our oil imports will hurt but to minimized the impact the government needs to have a plan now. Not after it happens but NOW!

Smithinjapan, if Japan stops all oil import from Iran will they help? Perhaps Canada can build the pipeline Obama does not want to the Pacific coast. That one oilfield could produce 1/2 of Japans needs. Then Japan will be much less reliant on middle east oil.

@YuriOtani

If the J-gov really wanted to, there are a LOT of sources in the Southeast Asian region, Japan's next-country neighbors.

Sakhalin has several oil refineries, Indonesia has many LNG plants just to name a few of the big producers.

YuriOtani. Shifting to coal is not a solution. With all the fear over nuclear power we have lost sight of an equally dangerous threat to humanity, global warming. Shifting to coal would invite greater slide into that abyss.

Japanese need to cut back on power use as we did during the post 3/11 period. American's need to build rail systems and stop driving.

tkoind2, Japan can only save so much. Coal is available in Japan and new plants can be made to make less pollution. However as long as the majority of the plants are offline there will be a increase and not decrease in consumption. So how will Japan make up the difference. Rolling blackouts a part of "normal life"? Rationing gasoline to so many liters per licensed driver per week? Of course we could look to the past for inspiration.

The Zen masters knew about the impermanence of all earthly things and the inexhaustible beauty of nature. The 12th century philosopher Kamo no Chomei once advised that "If you have to go anywhere, go on your own feet. It may be trying, but not so much so as the bother of horses and carriages. Everyone with a body has two servants, his hands and feet, and they will serve his will exactly.”

I do not understand why the Japanese government does not exploit its reserves of methane hydrate.

Iran should not incite troubles, and nothing should affect security in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Yeah, who really is the inciter ?