Mitsubishi Corp. to invest in Canada gas field

Japanese trading firm Mitsubishi Corporation  obtained the rights to develop one of the world's largest shale gas fields in Canada.Mitsubishi acquired a 40 percent stake of the gas field in the western province of British Colombia from Canadian energy firm Encana.

Mitsubishi is hoping to develop the field and sell the gas to Japanese users. The total investment is expected to reach 6 billion dollars.The field contains gas reserves estimated at around 720 million tons -- enough for 9 years of Japan's natural gas consumption.

Shale gas is found at a deeper stratum than conventional natural gas. Recent improvements in mining technology have made it possible to extract the gas.

Demand for natural gas is increasing in Japan following the nuclear accident in Fukushima prefecture last year.