Abstract
Recently, coal demand in Japan has been consistently on the increase. Coal is ranked as the core alternative energy source to oil. Therefore, we should positively address the problems of maintaining a stable supply and overcoming the environmental issues caused by coal use. Our attention also should be drawn to the fact that only the disadvantages of coal use are emphasized and that the future prospect for the coal situation is too optimistic based on the current oversupply Nothing is more uncertain and unstable than energy supply and demand, and coal is no exception. Energy issues also constantly need to be viewed from the standpoint of security. In view of the energy-supply structure peculiar to Japan where most of its energy sources depend on supply from abroad, our international contribution is essential. Summarizing today's coal-related problems, it is obvious that a stable coal supply and environmental preservation are indispensable. To solve these problems, development of triangular relationship mutually-linking source (supply), utilization (demand) and anti-pollution, should be sought. Our organization, Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL), is open to both domestic and international parties interested in coal-related issues. We wish to become a world-wide coal center by making efforts to provide substantial information on coal resources and by playing central role in the coal-related industry by acting as a go-between for parties concerned both in Japan and abroad.
