Japan to boost coal-fired power as Mideast war causes energy turmoil

Officials presented the plan at a meeting of a panel of experts, who approved the proposal, the industry ministry said on its website. "Given the current situation in the Middle East affecting fuel prices, we believe that uncertainty regarding future LNG procurement is increasing," an industry ministry official said at the meeting, which was broadcast online. "We think it will be necessary, by increasing the operation of coal-fired power plants, to... ensure the reliability of stable supply," he said.