Japan should step up efforts to become less dependent on imported oil, expand the use of nuclear power and develop more new resources and energy-saving technologies, the government said in its annual report on energy resources Friday.
The government called for more investment on developing resources in other countries, recommending Japan become a stakeholder in such ventures to secure stable supplies of natural resources.
Once the global economy recovers from its slump, crude oil prices could surge again on strong demand from China, India and other emerging economies, the report said.
"We need to explore an economic structure more immune to volatility in the prices of oil and other existing energy resources," it said, underlining the need to promote greater use of nuclear power and shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as solar power.
To secure a stable energy supply, the white paper said Japan needs to be involved in mining and other development projects in producing countries.
The country must also pursue technologies crucial for the efficient use of oil and natural gas that can be found in the waters surrounding Japan as well as the utilization of new types of fossil fuels such as methane hydrate.
It is hoped that methane hydrate, an icelike compound that burns, will provide a new energy source.