Japan’s commerce minister stated the nation goals to curb dependence on Russian liquefied pure fuel, however cannot instantly halt imports regardless of rising strain from the US.
“Japan has steadily decreased dependency on Russian power within the wake of the Ukraine conflict,” Commerce Minister Yoji Muto stated on Tuesday, with out offering a timeline or particulars on when imports may finish. LNG provide from the Russian Sakhalin-2 export undertaking accounts for about 10 % of the nation’s whole imports of the gasoline and so “performs an necessary function” in power safety, he added.
Japan has usually stated that it does not plan to instantly cease shopping for Russian LNG, whilst allies in Europe transfer to ban the gasoline to crimp Moscow’s entry to funding for the conflict in Ukraine. The Asian nation is the one member of the Group of Seven that hasn’t dedicated to a timeline to finish Russian fuel imports.
Muto indicated that changing Russian provide may show costly. The Asian LNG market is predicted to stay tight in the interim, and rising procurement prices may result in increased electrical energy charges, he stated.
The feedback come because the US ramps up efforts to scale back Moscow’s power gross sales in a bid to finish the conflict. The Trump administration expects Japan to cease importing power from Russia, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advised Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato throughout a gathering final week.
Japan’s buying and selling homes personal a stake within the Russian Sakhalin-2 plant, the closest LNG export terminal to the nation. Moreover, a lot of the gasoline purchased from the undertaking is equipped below long-term buy agreements, a few of which don’t expire till the 2030s.
In an effort to sort out the problem of Russian LNG, the federal government in Tokyo will work intently with the worldwide group, together with Group of Seven nations, primarily based on what is critical for Japan’s nationwide pursuits, Muto stated.
What do you assume? We’d love to listen to from you, be a part of the dialog on the
Rigzone Vitality Community.
The Rigzone Vitality Community is a brand new social expertise created for you and all power professionals to Converse Up about our business, share data, join with friends and business insiders and interact in an expert group that may empower your profession in power.

