REUTERS
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Japan is going to supply gas to Europe, as the supply of Russian gas threatens to be disrupted as tensions escalate around Ukraine. The government announced this on Wednesday. Japan is currently diverting several tankers with liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe.
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gjsSource: BELGA
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The ships were supposed to deliver LNG to Japan, but are now on their way to Europe, where they would arrive this month, said Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry minister Koichi Hagiuda. Additional ships were to be sent to Europe In March.
The minister did not give details of the volumes being delivered and sold. He stressed that Japan must first and foremost have enough LNG itself before it is delivered to Europe.
Not much gas left
Japan is one of the largest importers of LNG. The country itself has hardly any natural energy sources and is therefore very dependent on the import of oil and gas. Japan itself is also having a hard time importing enough LNG now that it is exceptionally cold, so there may not be much gas left to send to Europe. Hagiuda, however, indicates that he wants to respond to the demand of the United States and the European Union to supply gas to Europe.
Washington and Brussels are concerned that Russia will close the gas tap to Europe in the event of an escalation of the conflict around Ukraine. Russia accounts for about 40 percent of Europe’s natural gas supply, and several pipelines run through Ukraine.
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