Japan has decided to support Europe's energy security amid tensions with Russia.
Japan will supply Europe with liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the request of the EU and the US.
It is reported by Kyodo News.
“Japan will provide part of Europe's liquefied gas imports as tensions between Russia and the West through Ukraine undermine the region's energy security,” Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda said.
However, he specified that Japan would first provide enough gas for domestic needs before bailing out European countries.
According to TASS, several LNG tankers are already heading to Europe. The rest should leave in March.
Representatives of the Ministry of Industry suggested that the total number of deliveries in March is likely to be several hundred thousand tons. The specific volumes of gas that Japan sent to Europe are still unknown. Meanwhile, the Japanese government is asking its country's LNG companies to cooperate.
“When the situation in the world becomes like it is now with respect to Ukraine, Japan should support the G7 countries,” said Koichi Hagiuda.
Japanese media say the United States and Europe could impose economic sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin dares to attack Ukraine. In response, Moscow may reduce natural gas supplies to Europe as a countermeasure. While the EU receives about 40% of natural gas imports through pipelines from the Russian Federation.
Recall that the Polish company purchased gas from the United States for Ukraine.
