Now in Japan, the rising gasoline prices are currently a topic of discussion. In some regions, it can reach nearly 200 yen per liter. Before World War II, oil fields were scarcely discovered in the Middle East. As a result, Japan depended on the United States for approximately 80% of its oil imports, and the suspension of this supply became one of the causes of the war. During this period, Japan was attempting the production of synthetic petroleum. After that, Japan started importing about 80% of its oil from the Middle East. In the oil shock of 1973, triggered by the Yom Kippur War, a panic known as the “toilet paper crisis” occurred. Now, half a century later, the energy shift is being pursued. In January 2023, a demonstration experiment for new synthetic oil (synthetic fuel) that utilizes atmospheric CO2 and water was conducted. In addition, the development of methane hydrates and hydrogen engines is progressing. Both of these face hurdles before practical implementation, but when these challenges are overcome, Japan has the potential to transform into a resource-rich nation. (From January issue, 2024 / 2024年1月号より)