Japan Rejects Trump’s Call; Russian Oil and Gas Imports Continue
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Reuters, Yoji Moto, Japan’s Minister of Commerce, responded to U.S.President Donald Trump’s call to stop buying Russian oil and gas by stating that Japan will make decisions based on its national interests.
Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin informed Japan’s Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato that the Trump administration expects Tokyo to cease energy imports from Russia. Trump is anticipated to visit Asia later this month.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Tokyo agreed with other G7 countries to gradually phase out Russian oil imports.
However, Japan continues purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Sakhalin-2 project-a crucial source for Japan’s energy security-as it accounts for about 9 percent of the country’s LNG imports.
Moto did not directly address Mnuchin’s remarks but noted that since the ukraine conflict began, Japan has steadily reduced its reliance on Russian energy.
He added that approximately three percent of Japan’s total electricity comes from Sakhalin-2 and acknowledged LNG from this project plays a vital role in maintaining Japanese energy security.
The Japanese minister also affirmed his country’s intention to maintain close cooperation with the international community, including the G7 group.
The United States is pressuring China, India, and Japan through trade talks to reduce their purchases of Russian oil and natural gas. Simultaneously occurring, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Chinese and Indian entities.The European Union also may introduce further sanctions. Western nations argue Moscow uses revenue from energy sales to finance its war in Ukraine.
