Japan is eyeing stronger North American energy partnerships and equity investments, particularly on the Pacific Coast, as part of its strategy to strengthen energy security, according to an economic ministry official.

Asia Gas Prices

Japan’s Takeshi Soda, Oil and Natural Gas Division director in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said the government has responded to the global energy crisis by launching “aggressive diplomacy for natural resources” and supporting more long-term contracts for U.S. LNG.

The second part of the strategy “is that we are also supporting Japanese companies in acquiring shares in upstream and brownfield expansion projects…,” Soda said Monday at a Western States and Tribal Nations (WSTN) forum in Colorado.

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