Japan tries again for greater flexibility on LNG
Tokyo renews efforts to push reform in long-term contracts
Japan's economy ministry has once again gone public on its desire to introduce greater flexibility into the country's long-term LNG import contracts. And it is pushing improved global supply security as a motivating factor "LNG trading rules and practices that lead to more flexibility and the convergence of the global gas market are seen as the best condition for durable competitively priced LNG supplies and for improving the resilience of the international market and its capacity to respond to emergencies," Ryo Minami, director general for natural resources at Japan's Ministry of economy, trade and industry (Meti) told a Japanese government conference in October. Japan's fair trade commissi
Also in this section
19 March 2026
The regional crisis highlights the undervalued role of fixed pipelines in the age of tanker flexibility
18 March 2026
Rising LNG exports and AI-driven power demand have raised concerns that US gas prices could climb sharply, but analysts say abundant shale supply and continued productivity gains should keep Henry Hub within a range that preserves the competitiveness of US LNG
18 March 2026
Risks of shortages in oil products may cause world leaders to panic and make mistakes instead of letting the market do what it does best
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
