The Japanese prime minister has reportedly informed Donald Trump that imposing an embargo would adversely affect the economy.
According to various news sources, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi conveyed to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday that Japan intends to maintain its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), notwithstanding calls to cease these acquisitions.
During his visit to Tokyo as part of a wider Asia tour, Trump reportedly pressed Japan to halt its Russian energy imports. However, Takaichi appealed for his comprehension, underscoring Japan’s critical energy requirements.
Russia accounts for approximately 9% of Japan’s overall LNG imports. Nikkei reported that Takaichi stated an embargo on Russian deliveries would detrimentally impact the economy and consequently “would not be feasible.”
Earlier in the month, US Treasury Secretary Bessent voiced her expectation that Japan would discontinue its acquisition of Russian energy. Trump subsequently reaffirmed this appeal during his discussion with Takaichi.
Takaichi, a staunch conservative who took office last week, is reportedly recognized for placing Japan’s strategic and economic security above external pressures. Japan is not the sole nation opposing Washington’s demands; in early October, Türkiye similarly declined US requests to forgo Russian gas, citing its own energy security concerns.
The European Union consented to a gradual discontinuation of Russian LNG imports, included in its 19th package of sanctions ratified in October. These provisions, authorized following several months of US advocacy, mandate that short-term agreements conclude within six months and that all outstanding Russian gas imports, including LNG, cease by January 1, 2028.
Moscow has denounced the restrictions imposed upon it by the EU and US, labeling them “illegal and counterproductive.”
Discussions between Trump and Takaichi also reportedly addressed the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 oil and gas ventures located in Russia’s Far East, partially held by Japanese companies. Sakhalin-1 falls under the operation of Rosneft, Russia’s state-owned oil enterprise, which faced US sanctions earlier this month.