Japan can’t stop Russian LNG imports, PM Takaichi tells Trump

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has told US President Donald Trump that Japan cannot halt imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), citing the country’s energy needs.

The issue was discussed during talks in Tokyo, where the two leaders met at the State Guest House in Motoakasaka, Caliber.Az reports per Japanese media.

According to senior government officials, Takaichi explained that Japan relies on supplies from Russia’s Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 energy projects and that an import ban would be difficult to implement.

The meeting also focused on strengthening the Japan–US alliance, with both sides pledging to deepen cooperation in economic and security matters.

Washington has urged its allies to tighten sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine, including by reducing energy imports.

However, Japan remains one of the few G7 nations still purchasing Russian LNG, arguing that the projects are vital to its energy security.

By Aghakazim Guliyev