the mineral industry of japan 1998 13 1 j apan by john c wu s reserves limestone pyrophyllite and silica are quite large has considerable coal iodine but its natural gas crude petroleum very small as a result exploration conducted in past 5 years metal mining agency mmaj semigovernment under ministry international trade miti gold lead zinc had been extended 1998a ferrous nonferrous minerals relied on imports to meet more than 95 raw material requirements for energy metals processing related manufacturing sectors also between 10 25 refined products industrial secure stable long term supply materials actively participating major development projects fuels asia pacific north america south