Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reportedly told U.S. President Donald Trump that Tokyo cannot easily stop importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday. The two leaders met in Tokyo during Trump’s Asia tour, where energy sanctions and security cooperation were key agenda items.
Japan relies on Russian LNG for roughly 9% of its total gas supply, mainly from the Sakhalin-2 project, in which Japanese trading houses Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corp. hold stakes. The imports remain vital for Japan’s energy security, particularly after it scaled back nuclear power following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Why It Matters
Washington’s request is part of a broader strategy to tighten economic pressure on Moscow and force progress on ending the Ukraine war. But for Japan, cutting Russian LNG could drive up energy costs and complicate its decarbonization goals. Tokyo also fears that an abrupt exit from Sakhalin-2 would leave its firms exposed and deepen energy dependence on the volatile Middle East market.
Japanese officials quoted by Nikkei described the U.S. pressure as “understandable but unrealistic.” Analysts note that Japan is trying to balance strategic alignment with Washington and energy pragmatism amid rising regional tensions with China and North Korea.
Energy experts suggest that while Japan supports Western sanctions, it prefers gradual diversification away from Russian fuel rather than an immediate embargo. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has doubled down on sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s largest oil exporters, as part of its diplomatic offensive.
What’s Next
Japan is expected to maintain limited imports from Sakhalin-2 in the short term while seeking alternative LNG sources from the U.S. and Australia. Future talks between Tokyo and Washington may focus on securing stable energy flows without undermining the Western sanctions regime.
With information from Reuters.