The United States is calling on Japan to cease its purchases of Russian oil and gas as President Donald J. Trump intensifies efforts to pressure countries that continue to support Moscow’s income during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a post on X that he met with Japan’s Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato in Washington on Wednesday to discuss “crucial topics concerning the economic ties between the U.S. and Japan, including the [White House] Administration’s expectation for Japan to halt imports of Russian energy.”
Japan relies significantly on imported oil and gas. In 2023, it allocated 582 billion yen (approximately $3.9 billion) for imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), which represented about 9% of its total energy imports.
Japan had initially discontinued its imports of Russian crude oil in 2023 but was later granted a special sanction exemption by the Biden administration, permitting the continued import of oil and gas from the Sakhalin-2 project.
While Kato refrained from directly addressing Bessent’s comments on the need for Japan to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, he did express to Japanese media that Tokyo is “dedicated to contributing to the achievement of a just peace in Ukraine through collaboration with other G7 nations.”
Trump has been urging U.S. allies to minimize their economic interactions with Russia and mentioned on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would soon cease purchasing Russian oil.
“You can’t do it all at once. It takes some time, but that process will conclude soon,” Trump remarked.
In August, the Trump administration increased tariffs on Indian exports to the U.S. to 50%, accusing New Delhi of aiding in the financing of Russia’s war through its energy acquisitions.
Reporting by AFP was also included.
