Overview
- During their first summit in Tokyo on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told President Donald Trump that Japan will continue importing Russian LNG for the time being.
- Russian LNG from the Sakhalin-2 project supplied about 8.6–9% of Japan’s 2024 LNG imports, and Japanese firms Mitsui and Mitsubishi retain stakes in the venture.
- Takaichi argued that a cutoff could trigger power supply problems, and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa has said replacing Sakhalin-2 volumes would be costly and lift electricity prices.
- Washington has urged allies to halt Russian energy purchases and has sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, increasing pressure on Tokyo’s stance.
- The European Union plans to end Russian LNG purchases by the end of 2026, while Japan’s waiver covering less than 1% of oil imports from Russia is due to expire in December.