The Japanese Prime Minister announced that Japan will continue to import liquefied natural gas from Russia, despite US requests to stop these imports.

Although the United States has urged Japan to abandon imports of Russian gas to strengthen sanctions against Moscow, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that her country will continue to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. During a meeting with American President Donald Trump, Takaichi emphasized the risks of domestic energy shortages if imports were halted. In 2024, Russian LNG accounted for 8.6% of Japan's total imports, coming from the Sakhalin 2 project. Criticism of Japan is intensifying, considering that payments for Russian LNG could support Moscow's war efforts. Takaichi, known for her conservative vision, also inherits the unresolved issue of the disputed islands with Russia, which complicates the signing of a post-war peace treaty.