Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed on Tuesday to strengthen energy relations and economic cooperation with Qatar, a major gas producer, during his visit, which concluded a Gulf tour focused on securing energy supplies and promoting Japanese advanced technology.
Kishida, urged by Japanese gas lobbying groups to secure new supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, held talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Emir's office stated that they agreed to elevate their bilateral relations from a comprehensive level to a strategic one, particularly in the areas of energy, economy, defense, security, and academic exchange.
The two countries did not announce new LNG agreements on Tuesday, but Kishida informed Sheikh Tamim that "LNG plays a critical role in Asia regarding a realistic transformation of the energy sector," according to a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry. A statement from Qatar noted that the Minister of State for Energy and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad Al-Kaabi, along with other officials, attended the meeting between the Emir and Kishida.
Japan, which still heavily relies on oil and gas imports, has not renewed many long-term LNG contracts with Qatar after they expired in 2021 and 2022, significantly reducing imports from one of the world's largest LNG exporters. Meanwhile, several other Asian buyers have signed long-term contracts to import LNG from Qatar, including two agreements with a record duration of 27 years with Chinese gas importers from the massive North Field expansion project in Doha, which will increase the gas production in the Gulf state by more than 60 percent.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry stated in a document outlining the objectives of the talks in Qatar, "Coordination with Qatar is crucial to stabilize global LNG markets."
QatarEnergy, the state-owned company, stated that it expects to sign supply contracts for nearly all the new quantities from the North Field in 2023. Kishida also agreed with Emirati officials on Monday in Abu Dhabi on a plan to accelerate energy security and a framework for Emirati investment in Japanese semiconductor and battery technology. Kishida's visit to Qatar follows his trip to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, where Riyadh reaffirmed its commitment to supplying Japan with oil and will continue to cooperate regarding clean hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon recycling.
