The United States government applauded Japan this Friday for its decision to send part of its liquefied natural gas reserves to Europe in order to avoid a supply interruption as tension between Russia and Ukraine intensifies.
“We applaud Japan’s decision and its commitment to support Europe’s energy security by sending liquefied natural gas,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Twitter. .
In the same message, the official remarked that “cooperation between the United States, Japan and European partners strengthens the rules of the international order, based on peace and global stability”.
Japanese Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda said on Wednesday that the Asian country has “decided to cooperate” with the requests made by several countries in fear of an energy crisis, despite the high national demand during the winter.
Jap ón is one of the largest importers of liquefied natural gas in the world, with imports of 74,5 million tons in 74 that came mainly from Australia, Malaysia and Qatar (the 65 %), while only 6% was obtained from Russia and the United States.
Japan will make the relevant calculations to ensure sufficient supply to cover its national needs and will provide an amount not yet specified to European countries.
Around % of Europe’s liquefied natural gas imports come from Russia.
There is growing concern that Moscow may significantly restrict its LNG exports to Europe in response to the sanctions that various countries have threatened to impose on the country in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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