Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura stated that he would scrutinize the impact of Russian companies related to the Arctic LNG = liquefied natural gas development project funded by Japan companies being subject to U.S. government sanctions and take necessary measures to ensure that the energy supply to Japan is not impaired.
The U.S. government announced on January 2 that it has imposed sanctions on Russian companies related to the "Arctic LNG14" LNG development project in the Russian Arctic Circle, in which major trading companies such as Mitsui & Co. have invested, for supporting Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
Regarding this, METI Minister Nishimura stated at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 19th, "We recognize that it is not a sanction on the project itself, but a sanction on affiliated companies, and we are scrutinizing the impact together with the relevant parties."
He then stated, "In cooperation with the G7 countries, including the United States, we will make a comprehensive judgment so that energy supply to Japan will not be impaired, and respond appropriately," and expressed his intention to take necessary measures in cooperation with the United States and other countries.