Landlocked European countries are eyeing Japan's energy import approach as a potential model amid energy security challenges following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while Tokyo looks to Europe to refine its own strategy. Energy sector experts highlighted this during a panel at the 2025 French Japanese Business Summit on Thursday.
Europe has been grappling with energy security since Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted its reliance on imported pipeline gas from Russia and other sources.
At a panel discussion during the 2025 French Japanese Business Summit on Thursday, energy sector experts noted that landlocked European countries are looking to Japan's energy approach as a potential model, while Tokyo is drawing lessons from Europe to refine its own strategy.
"Europe today finds itself in the same situation as Japan, because the pipes with Russian gas are closed," said Helle Kristoffersen, Asia president of French oil and gas conglomerate TotalEnergies.
Japan, as a resource-poor island nation, has long developed strategies centered on energy imports, including LNG and nuclear energy. The panel highlighted mutual interests in areas like gas and energy diversification amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Keywords from the discussion include METI, energy, and Europe-Russia relations.
This exchange underscores opportunities for collaboration to enhance resilience in both regions, as experts emphasized the value of shared experiences in addressing global energy challenges.