By SCM Staff Writer I Friday, Nov.21.25
TOKYO has stunned Western allies by flatly refusing to dump Russian gas imports, calling them “vital” for the nation’s energy security.
The new Japanese Prime Minister, Takaichi, is standing firm, reportedly shrugging off pressure from former US President Donald Trump to cut off the supply tap.
The bombshell decision makes Japan the first major G7 nation to publicly defy calls to completely isolate Vladimir Putin’s energy giant.
It comes as Europe grapples with a crippling cost-of-living crisis fueled by soaring energy bills after ditching Russian energy.
The Japanese Embassy in Russia revealed the shock stance to local newspaper Izvestia, stating the government is determined to keep the fuel flowing.
A spokesman declared: “It is vital for Japan’s energy security. We will take all measures to ensure supplies of energy to Japan are stable.”
Insiders suggest that PM Takaichi, only recently sworn in, views the long-term stability of the country’s grid as her Number One Priority.
Japan has few domestic energy resources and relies heavily on imports, including LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) from Russia’s Sakhalin-2 project.
Tokyo’s refusal to sacrifice its Russian energy ties is a blow to Western efforts to squeeze Putin’s war machine financially.
Despite imposing harsh sanctions on Moscow, Japan has secured an exemption for the vital gas project, demonstrating its dedication to keeping the lights on
