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Japanese PM says nation to resume importing Russian LNG
(MENAFN) Japan has decided to maintain its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) despite calls from Washington to halt the purchases, according to reports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed US President Donald Trump of the decision during his visit to Tokyo on Tuesday, as part of his wider tour of Asia.
Trump reportedly urged Japan to suspend its energy trade with Moscow, but Takaichi appealed for understanding, stressing the importance of Russian LNG to Japan’s energy stability. Russia currently provides around 9% of Japan’s total LNG supply, and Takaichi argued that banning these imports “would not be possible,” as it would damage the country’s economy, according to reports.
Earlier in the month, US Treasury Secretary Bessent had expressed optimism that Japan might end its purchases of Russian fuel, a stance Trump reiterated during his meeting with the Japanese leader.
Takaichi, who took office just a week ago, is widely regarded as a staunch conservative who prioritizes national economic and strategic security over external pressure. Japan’s position mirrors that of Türkiye, which earlier in October also dismissed US calls to stop buying Russian gas, citing the need to safeguard its own energy interests.
Meanwhile, the European Union has agreed to phase out Russian LNG imports as part of its 19th sanctions package, adopted in October after extensive US lobbying. The new measures require all short-term contracts to end within six months, with a complete halt to Russian gas imports, including LNG, by January 1, 2028.
Moscow has condemned these Western restrictions as “illegal and self-defeating.”
Reports added that Trump and Takaichi also discussed Japan’s involvement in the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 energy projects located in Russia’s Far East. These ventures, partially owned by Japanese companies, are crucial to Japan’s energy supply. Sakhalin-1 is operated by Rosneft, Russia’s state-owned oil firm, which was targeted by new US sanctions earlier this month.
Trump reportedly urged Japan to suspend its energy trade with Moscow, but Takaichi appealed for understanding, stressing the importance of Russian LNG to Japan’s energy stability. Russia currently provides around 9% of Japan’s total LNG supply, and Takaichi argued that banning these imports “would not be possible,” as it would damage the country’s economy, according to reports.
Earlier in the month, US Treasury Secretary Bessent had expressed optimism that Japan might end its purchases of Russian fuel, a stance Trump reiterated during his meeting with the Japanese leader.
Takaichi, who took office just a week ago, is widely regarded as a staunch conservative who prioritizes national economic and strategic security over external pressure. Japan’s position mirrors that of Türkiye, which earlier in October also dismissed US calls to stop buying Russian gas, citing the need to safeguard its own energy interests.
Meanwhile, the European Union has agreed to phase out Russian LNG imports as part of its 19th sanctions package, adopted in October after extensive US lobbying. The new measures require all short-term contracts to end within six months, with a complete halt to Russian gas imports, including LNG, by January 1, 2028.
Moscow has condemned these Western restrictions as “illegal and self-defeating.”
Reports added that Trump and Takaichi also discussed Japan’s involvement in the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 energy projects located in Russia’s Far East. These ventures, partially owned by Japanese companies, are crucial to Japan’s energy supply. Sakhalin-1 is operated by Rosneft, Russia’s state-owned oil firm, which was targeted by new US sanctions earlier this month.
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