Depleted natural gas reservoirs can serve as ideal gas "storage tanks" that require very little maintenance. JAPEX stores natural gas underground at the Shiunji gas field in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, which is connected to the Company's natural gas pipeline network. This allows us to respond flexibly to seasonal fluctuations and other factors in demand for natural gas. There are many gas fields within Niigata Prefecture that can store natural gas. JAPEX's gas fields alone are estimated to have considerable underground storage capacity. Through effective use, these underground storage sites allow us to adjust supply to meet demand and function as emergency reserves. In these and other ways, JAPEX will effectively use underground natural gas storage to help ensure reliable supplies of natural gas.