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FILE PHOTO: Snow capped mountains are reflected in Kenai Lake outside of Cooper Landing, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., November 3, 2021. Picture taken November 3, 2021. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Image: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
politics

Japan weighs Alaska LNG pipeline pledge to win Trump's favor

49 Comments
By Tim Kelly, Yukiko Toyoda and John Geddie

Japan is considering offering support for a $44 billion gas pipeline in Alaska as it seeks to court U.S. President Donald Trump and forestall potential trade friction, according to three officials familiar with the matter.

Officials in Tokyo expect Trump may raise the project, which he has said is key for U.S. prosperity and security, when he meets Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for the first time in Washington as soon as this week, the sources said.

Japan has doubts about the viability of the proposed 800-mile pipeline – intended to link fields in Alaska's north to a port in the south, where gas would be liquefied and shipped to Asian customers – because of the overall costs of the gas relative to other sources. But it is prepared to offer to explore a deal if asked, the officials said.

Tokyo may include such a commitment among other concessions, such as buying more U.S. gas and increasing defense spending and manufacturing investment in the U.S., to reduce the $56 billion bilateral trade deficit and stave off the threat of tariffs, one of the people said.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the meeting. Japan's foreign ministry said it was premature to discuss the matter.

Details of Japan's possible interest in the Alaska project have not been previously reported. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media.

Among the executive orders Trump signed when he took office on Jan 20 was one promising to unleash Alaska's resource potential, "including the sale and transportation of Alaskan LNG to other regions of the United States and allied nations within the Pacific region".

Trump has framed the gas project as a win for Alaska and U.S. allies in Asia seeking a stable source of energy. But Japan already has plentiful access to LNG, and its companies traded some 38 million tonnes last year, more than half its domestic consumption.

Still, the Alaska pipeline could help Japan diversify supplies away from riskier sources like Russia, which accounts for about one-tenth of its gas imports, and the Middle East.

Ishiba said in parliament on Friday that while Japan needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, "there are things that we should request from the U.S. in terms of stable energy supply". He did not give specifics nor mention the Alaska project.

The officials cautioned that Ishiba will not be able to make firm commitments on LNG, including investing in the Alaska project, when he meets Trump. Any deal would have to offer reasonable pricing and flexibility, including allowing Japanese buyers to resell LNG they purchase, a fourth official said.

TARIFF THREAT

Trump has mooted a range of tariffs on foreign goods but revealed little about his approach to economic and security ties with Japan since his return to the White House. But the subject has dominated political discourse in Japan, a key U.S. ally and top foreign investor, which was rattled during Trump's first term by his tariffs on steel imports and his demands for Tokyo to pay more to host American troops.

Media attention in Tokyo has centered on whether Ishiba, who became prime minister last year and heads a minority government, can replicate the bond that former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe forged with Trump during his first term.

Abe, who was assassinated in 2022, was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after his 2016 election win, and the pair became close confidants and golfing partners.

Without such familiarity with Trump's inner circle, Ishiba's administration has sought counsel from U.S. lawmakers and policy experts with ties to both Japan and Trump. They include Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, a former U.S. ambassador to Tokyo, and Kenneth Weinstein, the Japan chair at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank.

Weinstein told Reuters he had encouraged Japan to deepen energy partnerships with the U.S. and that the Alaska project warranted serious consideration. Hagerty's office did not respond to questions.

Ado Machida, a Tokyo-based businessman who served on Trump's transition team after his 2016 election victory, said an offer by Japan to buy more LNG and support the Alaska LNG pipeline would be "probably the easiest" way to win over Trump.

"Trump's going to want to know what Japan will do for him," said Machida, adding that he had spoken to Japanese government officials about the proposal.

State banks such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) could provide financing for the Alaska project to trading firms such as Mitsubishi Corp and Mitsui & Co, which Japan relies on to secure oil, gas and coal reserves overseas, one of the officials said.

In 2022, Mitsubishi reached an agreement with Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), the state-owned company overseeing the LNG proposal, to assess the feasibility of producing ammonia there. Mitsubishi has not committed to the project beyond an assessment.

Mitsubishi and Mitsui declined to comment on potential investments and discussions about the Alaska LNG project. JBIC said it would consider providing support on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as any involvement by Japanese companies.

In a statement to Reuters, a spokesperson for AGDC said it had held talks with Japanese energy leaders about the project, without offering specifics.

First approved during Trump's earlier term, the project received Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorization in 2020 and final legal approval in 2022, despite opposition from environmental groups.

This month, AGDC said it had entered into an agreement with developer Glenfarne to advance the pipeline.

© Thomson Reuters 2025.

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.


49 Comments
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Aren’t we supposed to be moving away from fossil fuels due to the fact that… Well, the end of the world and all that.

5 ( +20 / -15 )

Insecure Japanese leaders,bowing to an insecure incompetent Trump

-11 ( +13 / -24 )

Put that in your SDG pipe and smoke it.

-17 ( +5 / -22 )

"Trump's going to want to know what Japan will do for him," said Machida, adding that he had spoken to Japanese government officials about the proposal.

.

The days of President Trump being lambasted by talking heads on woke news networks has ended-get in line to curry favor is the new paradigm.

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

RE; the $56 billion bilateral trade deficit

That is one year.

Imagine what the cumulative imbalance has built up to over the past 30 years or so.

I wonder which countries the US DOESN'T have a trade imbalance with?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Sounds like Japan's taking a cautious approach, which is generally a good idea when dealing with someone whose moods change depending on how full his diaper is.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Drill baby drill, ganbaru Nippon!

-23 ( +2 / -25 )

Fantastic news!

-21 ( +3 / -24 )

Sad, all Japan needs to do is to reduce tariffs rates on U.S products like automobiles and machinery but it wont happen because as we all know what will happen.

$56 Billion is not as bad as some other nations exporting to the U.S. and it can be worked out as Pres. Trump once said " all I am asking for is fairness ".

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Kiss my ring, knave!

1 ( +8 / -7 )

And when Pres. Trumps term is over things will go right back to where it was and that's why Japan will NOT reduce it's import tax brackets, better paying $44 billion now and get it back in no time at all.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Cheap gas just up north from Japan and yet they choose gas on the other side of the planet and at several times the cost? Same with Europe. Oh wait, Europe is now banking on Russia to help them save Greenland.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

"Japan has doubts about the viability of the proposed 800-mile pipeline...." and yet you're going to waste tax payer's money just to appease the narcissist man-child? How about reminding him that Japan is the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities?

3 ( +8 / -5 )

garymalmgrenToday  07:25 am JST

RE; the $56 billion bilateral trade deficit

That is one year.

Imagine what the cumulative imbalance has built up to over the past 30 years or so.

It's compensated by the dollar assets Japan holds and nothing more. There no more debt than the national debt of the of the US which is less than Japan and in line with other western countries.

I wonder which countries the US DOESN'T have a trade imbalance with?

Not ones dependent on manufacturing unlike the US

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Pukey2Today  08:24 am JST

Cheap gas just up north from Japan and yet they choose gas on the other side of the planet and at several times the cost? Same with Europe. Oh wait, Europe is now banking on Russia to help them save Greenland.

Some countries choose not to embrace the genocide way of life.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

You have to consider that the USA can't manufacture cars for the modern err. The word for their inability to manufacture most items is abysmal. The first port of call when his tariff policy turn south will be Japan for cars, Not the EU and definitely not China due their bias against their race. We saw USA racism against China rise it head during Covid. Just keep tell Trump anything that primes his ego and you be right. USA enjoy a culture of licking their rear end as a signals respect. LOL yes I know. every other country find it abhorrent.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Japan weighs Alaska LNG pipeline pledge to kiss Trump's derriere

Headline fixed.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

Why would Japan give money to the US unless it's an investment deal?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

no reason to pipe gas 800 miles south. expand the existing lng facility in alaska. china, japan and the pacific are already customers.

lpg is a big market for japan, so add lpg processing to alaska.

the u.s. is still a net importer of gas from canada. 43% of u.s. electrical generation is from gas.

simple, efficient solutions are never the goal in government. congress and the executive branch have different goals. congress wants money for their states and, in this case, the administration wants talking points.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Newgirlintowm

Yes, a headline like this in 2025 looks truly dystopian.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Sad and unnecessary.

What would Hoshino Michio made of this?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Kiss my ring, knave!

Which one?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Strong commercial relationships are supposed to build mutual benefits and dependency of both parts and so, would increase exchange between nations that would avoid more serious conflicts and war. It seems crazy to invest so much money in fossil sources of energy, it would make sense to invest in local clean sources of energy as wind, solar and why not, sea tydes, sea water current streams.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The carpet-crawling and ring-kissing begins.

Britain is doing the same. Ludicrious.

The problem they face, is that they are dealing with a thin-skinned screaming baby with armed with a machine gun. But even with this, they should just tell him to get stuffed.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Japan has doubts about the viability of the proposed 800-mile pipeline – intended to link fields in Alaska's north to a port in the south, where gas would be liquefied and shipped to Asian customers – because of the overall costs of the gas relative to other sources.

Signalling Japan prefers cheaper Russian LNG.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Signalling Japan prefers cheaper Russian LNG.

Hope so!

Japan manufactures many energy-intensive things. It's suicide to push those manufacturers' costs up.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Just cut through all these waste of time and resources. Just Trump to appoint his/a governor in Tokyo.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

"Japan weighs Alaska LNG pipeline .'

That's an excellent idea, although we all love clean air, clean water among others by now it's apparently clear the frequent global weather changes will be difficult to rely on the so called clean energy.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

if u.s. tariffs are put on canada, why would anyone assume canada would allow the pipeline to be built?

ok, you can build it, and all the gas moving through it will have a 25% tariff.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The pipeline and terminal would be in Alaska, not Canada.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The respect Trump already is commanding is incredible.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Japan has doubts about the viability of the proposed 800-mile pipeline – intended to link fields in Alaska's north to a port in the south, where gas would be liquefied and shipped to Asian customers – because of the overall costs of the gas relative to other sources.

mmmh

CNOOC, has just completed the final stages of a h.p. (high pressure) Lng field off the east coast not russia they got plenty to spare, home demand is currently down. but if I knows Mr T must Nose??? The left eyes a deal. the right weighs the cost benefits.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

wallaceToday  12:20 pm JST

The pipeline and terminal would be in Alaska, not Canada.

thanks.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What happened to the Russian pipeline plan? Gheesh these globalist dictators really wanna make everyone poor and a slave

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Aren’t we supposed to be moving away from fossil fuels due to the fact that… Well, the end of the world and all that.

The sky isn't going to fall in your head due to you consuming a little fossil fuel. Stay warm!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

You know, the US people have astonishing technical prowess, mind blowing it innovation.

When it comes to the manufacturing, the craft heavy lifting, the wheels wobble, the trolley falls apart, the paint flakes.

Far simpler for Toyota etc to build the next EV for the US market in America.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba can rush to Washington DC and break bread with President Trump, h

However appease with "pipe line" investment, offer out that "hand" of future "trading" agreements, promises of milltary contracts, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will be fortunate to pull back a shoulder blade.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The sky isn't going to fall in your head due to you consuming a little fossil fuel. Stay warm!

It's not "a little"

2 ( +3 / -1 )

iknowallToday 12:31 pm JST

The respect Trump already is commanding is incredible.

Not from our enemies it isn't.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

TaiwanisChina:

Some countries choose not to embrace the genocide way of life.

Yeah, that's why many of us, unlike the US regime and your current and past presidents, are not supportive of Israel.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Remember the US has a large trade surplus in services (including with Japan) which make up about a third of the total. Remember too that Japan more than makes up for its trade surplus in goods with existing FDI stock. No new investment required

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Trump is a synonym for transactional, yet as a deal-maker he's an oxymoron. His failed businesses and his trail of bankruptcies should assure the Japanese side they have nothing to fear from this incompetent blowhard.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Trying to curry favor with an untrustworthy con man like Trump is a fool's game. Moreover, Trump has no more than a simpleton's take on negotiation, seeing only winners and losers. The idea of genuine mutual benefit is beyond his toddler's grasp of macroeconomics.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Pukey2Today 02:52 pm JST

TaiwanisChina:

Some countries choose not to embrace the genocide way of life.

Yeah, that's why many of us, unlike the US regime and your current and past presidents, are not supportive of Israel.

The genocide in Ukraine is greater in magnitude.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

WoodyLeeToday  08:11 am JST

Sad, all Japan needs to do is to reduce tariffs rates on U.S products like automobiles

Japan has a 6.3% tariff on U.S. automobiles.

The United States has a 2.5% tariff on passenger cars but a 25% tariff on SUVs. More importantly, 40% of Japanese cars sold in the U.S. are manufactured in factories in the United States.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Please, do not cower to this convicted criminal

Japan will be abused and threatened by trump.

Japan is now in a loose, loose situation.

Groveling to trump, will not help!!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

...as long as Japan still has concession for buying Russian gas eh. I can see Trump totally convinced Japan under Ishiba is America's friend, NOT.

Seriously, under Obama and Biden, sanctions and its overuse has not only been diminished, it has driven cheap Russian energy towards China, America's only meaningful competitor.

Not hard to see why Japanese people didn't want Ishiba, and American people didn't want Harris.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The respect Trump already is commanding is incredible.

You are confusing respect with disdain and mockery.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

You are confusing respect with disdain and mockery.

A reminder that United States are an imperialist country trying to safeguard its own interests.

Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine and disruptions in pipeline flows from Russia, the United States has increased LNG sales to Europe by 140 percent. Go figure!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Japan already has the best stable supply from Australia. US LPG from Alaska would cost more, take longer to get to Japan and increase transport costs from a more distant supplier.

Drag it out for four years until Trump is nothing but a smear in history.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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