Japan Formalises Strategic Helium Stockpiling
Japan is moving from commercial working inventories towards government-backed strategic helium stocks.
Under Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) economic-security framework, supported helium projects must maintain inventories equivalent to at least one-twelfth, or one month, of the participant’s annual imports. Iwatani and Iwatani Gas, Japan’s leading helium supplier, were approved to begin holding one month of annual imports from January 2026 for at least ten years, supported by a maximum government subsidy of ¥1.05bn (~US$6.6mm). Air Water and Japan Helium have a separate approved helium-stockpiling programme with maximum support of ¥720mm (~US$4.5mm), taking just two government support schemes to ~¥1.77bn (~US$11mm). While the volumes are relatively small compared with large underground stores being developed in China or operated in the US and Europe, we see the policy as significant for the helium market. Japan is effectively creating a new, government-supported source of inventory demand and the 2026 supply disruption strengthens the case for Japan and other import-dependent semiconductor economies to increase strategic stocks further. This could absorb part of any apparent supply surplus as global helium availability improves later this decade, supporting a tighter market than production-versus-consumption balances alone might suggest.
Press Release: Press Conference Summary by State Minister for Special Missions Onoda (May 29, 2026)
(May 29, 2026 (Friday) 9:10 – 9:19, Press Conference Room S106, 1st Floor, Central Government Building No. 8)
Opening Remarks
No opening remarks.
Q&A
(Q) NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) recently announced a $20 billion plan to build a base at the Earth's South Pole powered by nuclear and solar energy by 2032. What is your reaction to this announcement, Minister, and how do you think it will impact Japan's space development? (Ans) I understand that NASA announced a three-stage roadmap on March 24 toward building a lunar base—including investing approximately $20 billion over the next seven years under its new lunar exploration policy "Ignition"—and presented detailed plans for the first phase on the 26th of this month. As the world advances efforts toward lunar exploration, Japan believes it is important to implement sustainable lunar exploration in alignment with the Basic Plan on Space Policy, while gradually fostering private-sector activities and establishing infrastructure corresponding to that progress. We will continue to maintain constant communication and close cooperation with the United States, steadily advance the development of the crewed pressurized rover necessary for exploring the lunar surface under the Artemis program, and aim to realize the landing of Japanese astronauts on the moon through these contributions.
(Q) I would like to ask about the Economic Security Promotion Act, for which deliberations on amendments are underway. In Wednesday's Plenary Session of the House of Councillors, Minister Onoda cited helium stockpiles as a specific effect of support under the Act, in connection with the situation in the Middle East. Are there any other examples related to the Middle East situation as concrete results of initiatives based on the Act? Also, regarding initiatives under the Act, how long on average does it take to see certain effects or changes in data resulting from support, including the amendments? Are there any discrepancies or gaps from the periods or targets originally anticipated by the government at the start of support? Please also share the current status of initiatives under the Act. (Ans) Regarding the current situation in the Middle East, we have already designated certain materials and raw materials imported from the Middle East as specified critical materials to a certain extent. In addition to the helium stockpiles mentioned in the plenary session of the House of Councillors the other day, we are also supporting initiatives such as securing surplus liquefied natural gas (LNG) and stockpiling potassium chloride, which is a raw material for fertilizer. Although Japan depends almost entirely on overseas imports for these materials, we believe that support under the Economic Security Promotion Act is having a certain effect in ensuring their stable supply. Generally speaking, initiatives concerning the stable supply of specified critical materials vary greatly depending on the type of material and other factors, making it difficult to state an average figure for how long it takes for effects to materialize. However, because these initiatives often involve the construction of new factories or the expansion of production lines, the reality is that many plans span three years or more from their commencement. On the other hand, for each approved plan, based on annual reports from certified business operators, the competent ministries and agencies coordinate with the Cabinet Office and incorporate the opinions of experts to evaluate the progress of the plans. The rate of cases where target periods had to be changed and postponed up to fiscal 2024 stands at around 15%, and we recognize that overall progress is proceeding generally smoothly. Amid rapidly changing global conditions, advancing production facility expansions over several years as planned is not necessarily easy for businesses, but the government will continue to work closely in public-private cooperation and strive to ensure that plans progress even more smoothly.
(Q) I would like to ask regarding the Science Council of Japan (SCJ). It has been almost a year since the Science Council of Japan Act, which turns the SCJ into a special corporation, was enacted. What is the preparation status toward the corporate transition in October? Also, how do you view the fact that the transition to the new organization is taking place without a proper investigation into the appointment-rejection issue? Furthermore, what role do you expect the new organization to play? Thank you. (Ans) The incorporation of the Science Council of Japan aims to strengthen its functions by drastically enhancing its independence and autonomy, enabling the SCJ to contribute to the welfare of citizens and the development of our nation as a national academy of the highest global standard. I understand that the Science Council of Japan has established a framework for preparing the establishment of the corporation, is reviewing the organizational structure and activities following incorporation, and is steadily proceeding with preparations—such as selecting candidate members ahead of target around summer. Through incorporation, we expect the Science Council of Japan—as the representative organization of Japanese scientists both domestically and internationally—to contribute to the further development of academic studies and help resolve social challenges globally and domestically. As for the appointment of SCJ members in October 2020, since it falls under the authority of the Prime Minister, it is not my position to answer.
(Q) The Headquarters for Promoting an Orderly Coresidence Society with Foreign Nationals is scheduled to release a comprehensive package in mid-July. As I mentioned before, the Mainichi Shimbun's Tokyo evening edition on January 12, 1993, reported that the government promoted the socialist and ideological coinage of a "multicultural coexistence society." Recently reported instances include a Vietnamese theft group in Saitama and Tochigi causing over 100 million yen in damage, four Vietnamese individuals raiding over 50 vacant houses in Kofu, 500 water shutoff valves stolen from a housing complex in Kobe, massive thefts of brass fire hydrant nozzles across various regions, and copper wires stolen from athletic field nighttime lighting. I do not believe the moral standards (mindo) of Japanese people have suddenly mutated. Temples and shrines nationwide have been burning down in suspicious fires—about 600 shrines and temples have burned down in suspicious fires over the past decade. In the 45 years from Meiji 30, when national treasure designations began, only 12 structures were damaged or burned down—in 45 years. To avoid misunderstandings that government policies are promoting the destruction of an orderly traditional cultural society, wouldn't it be considered necessary for the comprehensive measures for foreign nationals to also include emergency measures against infrastructure crimes in cooperation with other ministries like the police? Please share your views as the Minister in charge of foreign national policies. (Ans) First of all, I would like to state that there is no truth to the fact that the government has decided to newly announce a comprehensive response policy in July of this year. Moreover, I understand that individual criminal cases are handled appropriately by investigative authorities. Building on that, the "Comprehensive Response Measures for the Acceptance and Orderly Coresidence of Foreign Nationals," compiled in January of this year, sets forth fair and strict responses to actions that deviate from Japan's laws and rules, alongside a wide range of measures—such as raising awareness among foreign tourists about Japanese laws, regulations, and manners. As the minister in charge, I intend to steadily advance the measures included in cooperation with relevant ministers.
(Q) What I think is that it's impossible to believe the moral standards of Japanese people suddenly mutated. For grand mansions or prestigious noble families in Tochigi to suddenly have their lives targeted is something Japanese people cannot endure—it's unbelievable, it's frightening. Frankly speaking, I don't think this is a matter of Japanese language education or that level. Japanese people's moral standards haven't gone wrong. Can you educate people on morals if 4.12 million people come in? Even if you teach them Japanese, it doesn't raise their moral standards. I am asking questions with these doubts in mind. (Ans) As shown in the White Paper on Crime and other statistics, the incidence of crime has been decreasing compared to the past. However, the fact that crime is unforgivable whether committed by a foreigner or a Japanese citizen remains unchanged, and I trust that the appropriate investigative authorities will respond firmly.
(Q) Police officers are to be pitied. After all, politicians need to make it easier for police officers to act. There are things like Chinese Dragons and various others, but politicians need to change things—like allowing them to be fully regulated under the Anti-Organized Crime Law—otherwise, field police officers are just too pitiable. (Ans) Please direct your questions to the respective competent ministries and agencies.
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