Japan has a gas problem as it tries to move from a nuclear and gas industry to a renewable zero emissions country. It imports much of its gas from Australia making up 40% of its imports. Imports of liquefied gas are primarily from: Australia ($24B), Malaysia ($8.06B), Russia ($4.48B), Papua New Guinea ($3.25B), and United States ($3B). [2]

But it has a surplus. It was largest global importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), but its demand has fallen rapidly in recent years. Japans gas and power utilities have contracted too much gas. They face a surplus of LNG purchase commitments and now are focused on marketing and re-selling the fuel abroad.

Key Points

• Japan’s LNG strategy faces tension between clean energy goals and fossil fuel reliance.
• Despite GX plans, Japan remains heavily dependent on LNG.
• LNG demand is declining due to various factors, including nuclear restarts, market liberalization, and renewable energy growth.
• Japan is transitioning from being a major consumer to a key player in the global LNG market.
• Geopolitical concerns and supply risks pose challenges to Japan’s LNG strategy.
• Japan is diversifying its LNG sources and investing in strategic reserves.

Notable Insights

• While the country is striving for sustainability, its reliance on LNG for energy security remains significant.
• The geopolitical factors and supply risks underscore the challenges of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
• The country says it has a strong commitment to clean energy, but this is greenwashing.
• Japan’s efforts to balance energy security with sustainability are a case study for other nations facing similar dilemmas.

References

1. Japan’s LNG Future: Balancing Energy Security With Sustainability Commitments Sept 2024 John Calabrese https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/japans-lng-future-balancing-energy-security-with-sustainability-commitments/
2. imports
3. Japan’s declining gas demand will leave utilities with persistent LNG oversupply through 2030 Mar 2024 https://ieefa.org/articles/japans-declining-gas-demand-will-leave-utilities-persistent-lng-oversupply-through-2030
4. Japanese utilities are looking to offload excess LNG supply in Emerging Asia 2024 https://ieefa.org/resources/japanese-utilities-are-looking-offload-excess-lng-supply-emerging-asia