Japan defies U.S. pressure, maintains Russian energy imports citing national security

10/23/2025 / By Belle Carter

Despite U.S. pressure, Japan has confirmed its continued purchase of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s Sakhalin-2 project, citing national security and economic stability as top priorities.
The Japanese Trade Minister, Yoji Muto, emphasized that LNG from Sakhalin-2 plays a crucial role in Japan’s energy security, supplying nearly 10 percent of its LNG imports and a significant portion of its electricity generation.
Japan has joined the G7’s price-cap scheme on Russian oil but maintains exemptions for Sakhalin-2, highlighting the difficulty in balancing economic sanctions with energy security.
The U.S. has intensified efforts to isolate Russia economically, but Japan has resisted these demands, prioritizing its domestic energy needs over foreign policy considerations.
Key U.S. allies like India and China have also resisted U.S. pressure, emphasizing the importance of stable pricing and energy security in their trade relations with Russia.

In a firm rebuke to U.S. pressure, Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to importing Russian energy, citing national security and economic stability as overriding concerns. Trade Minister Yoji Muto stated that Tokyo would continue purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s Sakhalin-2 project, despite Washington’s push for a full embargo to weaken Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.

The announcement follows a tense meeting between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, where Bessent urged Japan to halt Russian energy imports. Muto, however, emphasized that Japan’s energy policy would be dictated by domestic needs rather than foreign demands.

“We recognize that LNG from Sakhalin-2 plays an extremely important role in Japan’s energy security,” Muto told reporters. The Russian project supplies roughly 10 percent of Japan’s LNG imports and nearly three percent of its electricity generation—a critical lifeline for the resource-scarce nation.

Balancing sanctions and energy needs

Japan has formally joined the G7’s price-cap scheme on Russian oil, limiting payments to $47.60 per barrel—down from 60—but maintains exemptions for Sakhalin-2 per BrightU.AI‘s Enoch. While Tokyo has reduced overall reliance on Russian energy since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, Muto stressed that a full cutoff would destabilize Japan’s power grid and economy.

The U.S. has intensified efforts to isolate Russia economically, targeting major energy buyers like Japan, India and China. Washington argues that reducing Moscow’s oil and gas revenues will cripple its military operations in Ukraine. However, these demands have been met with resistance from key U.S. allies and trading partners.

India, another major Russian oil importer, recently dismissed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt purchases. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that India’s policies prioritize “the interests of the Indian consumer,” emphasizing stable pricing and diversification.

China, meanwhile, condemned U.S. pressure as “unilateral bullying and economic coercion.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian warned of “firm countermeasures” if Beijing’s energy trade with Russia is threatened.

EU moves toward full ban—but exemptions remain

While Japan resists U.S. pressure, the European Union has taken steps toward a full ban on Russian gas by 2027. Last week, EU energy ministers approved a plan to prohibit short-term contracts by mid-2026 and phase out long-term deals 18 months later. However, landlocked nations like Hungary and Slovakia secured exemptions, highlighting the challenges of enforcing a unified energy blockade.

Russia remains the world’s third-largest oil producer and a key gas exporter, making its energy sector a critical battleground in the West’s economic war against Moscow. The U.S. and EU have already frozen Russian central bank assets and banned crude oil exports, but major Asian economies continue to resist full compliance.

Japan’s defiance underscores the growing divide between Western sanctions and the pragmatic needs of energy-dependent nations. While Washington pushes for maximum economic pressure on Russia, Tokyo—alongside New Delhi and Beijing—is prioritizing energy security and economic stability.

As geopolitical tensions escalate, Japan’s stance signals that even close U.S. allies may refuse to sacrifice their national interests for Washington’s strategic objectives. The coming months will test whether the West can sustain its sanctions regime—or if economic realities will force a recalibration of policy.

For now, Japan’s message is clear: energy security comes first.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump making America an energy superpower by resuming LNG exports.

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