Japan Values the Importance of Energy Projects in Russian Sakhalin

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida affirmed during a Senate meeting today, Monday, that Tokyo will continue to participate in energy projects on the Russian island of Sakhalin due to their importance in ensuring energy security. He stated, "In the future, according to forecasts, the demand for liquefied natural gas will increase, so the projects in Sakhalin are crucial for guaranteeing energy security in our country, and we will maintain our share in them." He added, "Regarding energy supply issues, we cooperate closely with the G7 countries and the international community." He noted that Japan reduced its oil imports from Russia by 90 percent in the second half of 2022, and coal by 60 percent. He mentioned that the mechanism for implementing sanctions against Russia, which was agreed upon by the G7 countries last February, aims to organize and strengthen the adopted restrictions, and is now being coordinated with other nations.