Japan’s Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. has struck a deal with GDF Suez for 20 cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), about 1.2 million tons, to be delivered over 27 months starting in the first quarter. GDF Suez, which announced the deal, said it will source LNG from its global portfolio. Chubu is Japan’s third-largest power company by generating capacity, electric energy sold, operating revenues, and total assets. Last year, Japan imported about 88 million tons of LNG, which represents 37.5% of world LNG consumption, according to GDF Suez. In the next decade Japan is expected to remain a major gas importer. Since Jan. 1, 2012, GDF Suez has delivered more than 6.6 million tons of LNG to Asian countries.