Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation facts for kids
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (石油天然ガス・金属鉱物資源機構), also known as JOGMEC, is a special organization created by the Japanese government in 2004. Its main job is to help Japan find and get important natural resources like oil, natural gas, and different kinds of metals.
How JOGMEC Started
JOGMEC was officially started in 2004. It was created when two older Japanese organizations joined together. These were the Japan National Oil Corporation (JNOC) and the Metal Mining Agency of Japan (MMAJ).
This merger helped combine their efforts. It made one strong organization to manage Japan's needs for energy and metal resources.
What JOGMEC Does
JOGMEC has several important tasks to make sure Japan has enough resources.
Managing Important Metals
One key role for JOGMEC is looking after Japan's supply of "rare metals." These are special metals that are very important for making things like electronics and advanced technology. JOGMEC keeps a careful watch on these supplies.
Exploring New Energy Sources
JOGMEC also works on finding new ways to get energy. In March 2013, they made a big discovery. They successfully took out something called methane hydrate from the seabed. Methane hydrate is like frozen natural gas found deep under the ocean. This was the first time anyone in the world had done this! It was a big step for finding new energy sources.
