Japan has pledged support for the EU regarding LNG support
LNG pledge to Europe raises doubts
Japan’s ill-defined promise of support may be more symbolic than practical
US and Japanese authorities suggested in February that Japan might be able to spare LNG to help Europe in the event of a reduction in Russian pipeline flows. But it may not be a practical solution, given Japan’s own needs and European capacity constraints. Japan has pledged support for the EU regarding LNG supply, but it is unclear whether anything specific was agreed. In February, Japan’s powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti) stated that “in response to a request for LNG accommodation to Europe”, “the policy of Japan [is] to cooperate as much as possible, on the premise that a stable supply to Japan will be secured”. A statement from the US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanue
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
