Japan intends to keep importing Russian LNG

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed U.S. President Donald Trump that Japan will continue importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) despite U.S. pressure to halt these imports due to Russia's war in Ukraine. Takaichi highlighted the need for Russian LNG to avoid domestic power shortages. In 2024, Russian LNG comprised 8.6 percent of Japan's imports.

The gas is sourced from the Sakhalin 2 project in Russia, in which two Japanese firms still have stakes. Payments for Russian LNG have drawn criticism for potentially funding Russia's war.

Takaichi, who shares hawkish views with the late Shinzo Abe, faces ongoing territorial disputes with Russia over the Northern Territories.