Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX) is a leading Japanese upstream company engaged in oil and natural gas E&P activities both in Japan and overseas. Its main operating areas are Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata and Niigata in Japan, and Canada, Indonesia, Libya, and other regions where it has overseas interests.
JAPEX was founded in December 1955 as a special purpose company through a government initiative and has continued to explore and produce oil and natural gas in Japan and expand its activities overseas. JAPEX was once incorporated into the former Japan Petroleum Development Corporation (JPDC) as its E&P operating body from 1967 to 1970. Subsequently, JAPEX was separated and established in April 1970 as a private company under the former Commercial Code. JAPEX listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2003.
Since its foundation, JAPEX has conducted integrated operations extending from oil and gas E&P through transportation and supply. JAPEX is continuing to work on increasing its reserves, expanding its natural gas supply network and other aspects of its operations as it aims for growth as a competitive player in the market.