Japan plans to step up its investment role in upstream projects for liquefied natural gas (LNG), to spur new development and boost fuel offtake by its companies, the industry minister said on Friday. Investment in new LNG development worldwide has dropped significantly as a global trend toward decarbonisation grows, although …
Read More »Japan to Release 15M Barrels from State Oil Reserves amid Shaky Energy Supplies
As tensions persist over stable energy supplies due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Japan said on Thursday it will release oil from its state reserves. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the release of at least 15 million barrels from its state reserves, Kyodo News reported. The announcement came amid disruptions in …
Read More »Japan may Expand Fuel Subsidy to Curb Energy Costs
Japan may expand a subsidy programme for gasoline and other fuels among measures under consideration to ease soaring energy costs, the industry minister said on Sunday (Apr 3). The measure will be part of a fresh relief package which Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered his cabinet last Tuesday to …
Read More »Japan Rules out Withdrawal from Joint Russia Gas Project
Japan has no plans to withdraw from a joint Russian oil and gas project, despite joining tough sanctions on Moscow over its Ukraine invasion, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday. Energy resource-poor Japan is attempting to balance its need for fossil fuels with toeing a hard line on Russia, and …
Read More »Japan, U.S., U.K. Lenders Loan Kuwait $1 Billion to Boost Oil Output
Japan’s 3 biggest banks are teaming up with major U.S. and European lenders to loan $1 billion to help Kuwait increase oil output, seeking to calm energy markets roiled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Nikkei Asia has reported. Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and MUFG Bank are making the …
Read More »Japan Asked UAE to Help Stabilize Crude Oil Markets Amid Russia Turmoil
Japan asked the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to make “proactive contributions” as a major oil producer to help stabilize surging crude oil prices triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the two agreed to work closely, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said. After a phone call with Crown Prince …
Read More »Japanese Develop System to Slash Methane Slip on LNG-Fuelled Vessels
In a potential big breakthrough on shipping’s path to decarbonisation, the Japanese look like they have minimised the issue of methane slip for ships using LNG as a fuel. Hitachi Zosen, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Yanmar Power Technologies have received approval in principle from ClassNK for a methane oxidation …
Read More »Iran Ready to Supply Global Market with as much Oil as It Needs
The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) voices the country’s readiness to supply oil to the global market “at a maximum level,” saying Iran’s potential return to the market could effectively help stabilize soaring crude prices. NIOC Managing Director Mohsen Khojasteh-Mehr told IRNA on Friday that the new Iranian administration has …
Read More »Asian Nations Try to Relieve Energy Price Pain
Asian governments are taking measures to soften the impact of escalating oil and LNG prices on their economies and help consumers with subsidies and tax cuts. However, such measures probably won’t be sufficient to offset the sharp increase in energy prices, which is adding to inflationary pressures. Brent crude oil …
Read More »Japan should Discuss NATO-Like Nuclear Weapons Sharing
Japan should discuss a possible sharing of nuclear weapons similar to that of NATO members in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday. NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements let the U.S. keep its nuclear weapons in Europe under its custody. “Many people in …
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