Japan’s electricity mix is shifting as natural gas becomes more expensive amid conflict in the Middle East. Multiple reports say coal-fired power generation is rising while LNG-dependent generation declines. Bloomberg attributes the change to supply disruptions and higher LNG costs tied to the war, which reduces the competitiveness of cleaner-burning fossil fuels and leads utilities to rely more on coal. The Japan Times reports that coal output is increasing across Japan’s main islands, citing data showing the 30-day moving average for coal generation rises by 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year. Together, the accounts describe a clear trend: coal generation grows as LNG costs increase, reflecting short-term market and supply pressures rather than a single change in policy. The coverage focuses on the near-term impact on power generation levels, referencing regional grid data and LNG price pressure linked to the ongoing conflict. The reports do not indicate that the increase is intended as a long-term restructuring, but rather as a response to current fuel availability and pricing.