Media: Japan nears deal with US to extend Russian LNG import exemptions

Japan has nearly reached an agreement with Washington to extend exemptions allowing imports of Russian energy resources, the Kyodo news agency reports.

The arrangement concerns liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the Sakhalin-2 project. The current exemptions are set to expire on June 18 and have been repeatedly extended since 2022.

According to a separate report from Kyodo, the US ally has also secured deeper energy cooperation with Malaysia, which is a key supplier of energy resources for resource-poor Japan. About 15% of Japan’s LNG imports come from Kuala Lumpur.

In addition, most of the crude oil destined for Japan passes through the Strait of Malacca, a critical trade route between Malaysia and Indonesia, underscoring the strategic importance of energy and maritime supply chains in the region.

By Jeyhun Aghazada