Hagiuda told reporters after separately meeting European Union
(EU) Ambassador to Japan Patricia Flor and US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel
that the Japanese government took account of requests from the United States
and the European Union in making the decision, as well as a gas shortage in
Europe.
LNG supply in Japan is currently tight, but we decided to
meet the requests as long as a stable supply to Japan is ensured, said Hagiuda.
Industry Ministry officials suggested total shipment to the
region in March will likely be several hundred thousand tons.
The government is asking Japanese companies involved in the
LNG business for their cooperation even beyond March, Hagiuda said.
Japan, a major LNG importer, will secure enough supply for
domestic needs before assisting European countries facing the threat of
disruptions to their gas supply from Russia in the event of an incursion by
Moscow into Ukraine, according to government sources.
With about 40% of Europe's imports of LNG coming from
Russia, the United States has asked Japan to extend energy assistance to ensure
stable energy supplies in the region during the winter.
The United States has warned of sanctions if Russia, which
has massed troops near the Ukrainian border, invades. There is growing concern
that Moscow could significantly restrict LNG exports to Europe in retaliation
for Western sanctions.
To reassure allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO), the United States is sending additional troops to Europe, while Russia
has accused the United States and NATO of ignoring security concerns related to
Ukraine, a former Soviet republic.
At an energy council meeting in Washington earlier this
week, the United States and the EU affirmed their commitment to address risks
related to the bloc's energy supply.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell told the meeting that
Russia does not hesitate to use its energy supplies to Europe as a weapon for
geopolitical gain as energy prices surge worldwide.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, noting Russia's
state-owned companies are holding back natural gas exports, said Washington is
in discussions with governments and major producers around the world to shore
up energy supply throughout Europe, including Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden also warned, after holding talks with
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, that the yet-to-be-activated Nord Stream 2, a
gas pipeline project connecting Germany and Russia via the Baltic Sea, will be
halted if Russian troops cross into Ukraine.
Japan's LNG move forms part of such international efforts.
But in Japan, the growth in LNG demand for heating tends to
outpace that of supply in the month of February, according to an energy
industry official.
While Japan has a greater stockpile of LNG this winter than
last, some in the energy sector believe it would be challenging to provide
surplus LNG during February due to the possibility of a surge in demand.
The United States has urged Japan to consider imposing
economic sanctions on Moscow if Russian troops invade Ukraine, according to
diplomatic sources.
