Bloomberg News reported that on October 15 (local time), U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Besent requested that Japan halt imports of Russian energy during a meeting with Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Gato in Washington, D.C.
Secretary Besent stated on the social networking service X (formerly Twitter), "I met with Finance Minister Gato to discuss ways to advance Japan's strategic investment plans in the U.S. through the U.S.-Japan Trade and Investment Agreement." He added, "We also discussed current issues related to U.S.-Japan economic relations, as well as the U.S. administration's stance that Japan should stop importing Russian energy."
The United States sees Russia's energy export revenues as a key funding source for the war in Ukraine and has been increasing pressure on countries importing Russian energy. On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would no longer purchase Russian oil. However, Japan has repeatedly stated that, due to energy security concerns, it has no plans to halt imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). According to Bloomberg, about 8% of Japan's LNG imports last year came from Russia.
During a press briefing that day, Secretary Besent was asked whether Japan should reduce its imports of Russian LNG. He responded, "Anyone who purchases Russian energy is supporting attacks against the people of Ukraine."
In relation to this, Finance Minister Gato said at a press conference, "Japan's basic position is to work closely with the Group of Seven (G7) to achieve a just peace in Ukraine, and to do everything we can within that framework." Japan remains the only G7 member that has not announced a policy to suspend or end imports of Russian gas.
This U.S.-Japan finance ministers' meeting was held on the occasion of the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting. Kyodo News and others reported that exchange rate issues, such as the weakness of the yen, may also have been discussed during the meeting.
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