The Japanese government has welcomed the United States' decision to extend the import permit for Russia's Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project in the Far East. This allows trading giants Mitsui and Mitsubishi, which hold stakes in the project, to continue procuring LNG. The permit has been extended until June 18, 2026.
On Thursday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara welcomed the U.S. decision during a news conference at the prime minister's office. "The extension of an exemption from sanctions has been appropriately implemented," Kihara said. "We will take all possible measures to ensure stable liquefied natural gas supplies."
The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that the trade permit, due to expire on Friday, would be extended until June 18, 2026. The Sakhalin-2 project supplies nearly 10% of Japan's LNG imports, making it a vital source for the country's energy needs.
Washington had urged Japan to halt LNG imports from Sakhalin-2 as part of broader efforts to tighten sanctions on Russia. In October, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asked Tokyo to reduce these imports, suggesting substitutions from other countries.
However, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting that month that withdrawing from the project would be difficult due to energy security concerns. Japanese companies had been increasingly worried that the Trump administration might not extend the waiver.
This extension underscores ongoing energy cooperation in U.S.-Japan relations, with Japan committed to maintaining stable supplies.
