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Japan says Sakhalin energy projects do not contradict Russia sanctions

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The hard reality is Japan just like much of Europe needs Russian gas, oil and fertilizer, Russia's main exports. The result being that sanctions are never going to work. If the sanctions were to work and "destroy" the Russian economy, Russia has the option to turn off the taps and watch the world economy plummet too.

10 ( +23 / -13 )

I am sorry, but this does violate US and EU sanctions.

-13 ( +15 / -28 )

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara's statements are perfect examples of cognitive dissonance.

Add this to Japan Tobacco in Russia, Western oligarchs and financials complicit with Russian oligarchs and all the other arrangements of convenience to help the G7 Davos oligarchs maintain their bottom lines while moralizing about Russian barbarism.

7 ( +19 / -12 )

E

Samit BasuToday 07:02 am JST

I am sorry, but this does violate US and EU sanctions.

These sanctions are unilateral. Japan had no voice in their formulation or application.

Energy security?

He also said if Japan's stakes in the Sakhalin 1 and 2 oil and liquefied natural gas projects are obtained by other countries, there is a possibility that those not imposing sanctions against Russia will benefit.

Those "other countries" would be China.

Handing over (gratis) to China gas production operations in the Russian Far East would not hurt Russia in the least. It would help China and Russia to become more economically interdependent.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Due to the shortsightedness of the Japanese government there is nothing that can be done but to hold onto the bloody Russians hand.

Russia has resources in Japans backyard that the Japanese need.

Telling us that it is ok to be involved with a regime that blows up children and shots people in the backs is not convincing though...

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

not to worry, Harrods is sanctioning Russians in Britain by refusing to sell them items priced above £300. that'll show 'em! (^_-)

15 ( +18 / -3 )

Japan must secure its own energy and food sources in an ever more uncertain future.

We are fortunate to have one of the largest and most powerful Navy’s on earth. Maybe second most powerful.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

I hope it on the tick. Buy now pay later scheme and direct 20% of the funds to UKRAIN in a years time and just keep the rest.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Keen to benefit from the protection and profit from the rules based system civilised countries are trying to maintain but will do nothing to support it if it is mildly inconvenient to the profits of its elites.

Japans dependence on russian fossil fuel is entirely down to the abysmal failure of foresight and policy of its government in failing to implement sustainable energy policies years ago.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

@garymaimgren

You sound knowledgeable of which countries are involved with the Sakalin 1 &2 project.

Perhaps then you can also inform us of which country obtained the stakes that were given up recently by the UK and USA companies and any other stakeholders .

Is Japan and China really the only other stakeholders ?

I doubt it .

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

"more costly" for Japan in the long term.

Every nation, and especially Japan has know for decades that relying on burning huge amounts of fossil fuels is costly, not just monetarily, but also from an environmental standpoint, as well as from a national freedom perspective. And still Japan Inc, are not doing enough to find, develop and implement alternative forms of energy. Japanese citizens are paying a lot for their energy, are breathing fouled air contributing to health problems, and are stuck dealing with predatory states like Russia, and at the whims of the US, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other nations, weakening Japan's independence.

An own own goal for Japan, Inc.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

in the above it should be has 'known'

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Not surprised at all. Typical double standards that we've come to known from jgov.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

I am sorry, but this does violate US and EU sanctions.

Well, luckily Japan isn't under the jurisdiction of the US or EU.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

thepersoniamnowToday  07:47 am JST

Japan must secure its own energy and food sources in an ever more uncertain future.

We are fortunate to have one of the largest and most powerful Navy’s on earth. Maybe second most powerful.

Not even close to No.2 in the world Navy list. No.4 at best. What's more, Japan has no ballistic or nuclear subs, choosing, rather unfortunately, to run it's sub fleet on diesel.

Any brush up with Russia, and that would become real a problem.

Any brush up with China and food would become a problem.

Japan can ill afford to turn away Russian oil or gas, being just as, if not more reliant on them than Europe. Hence the need to toe the line with Russia in regards to the Sakhalin project.

Japan would be wise to view the situation the EU finds itself in now, and belatedly start planning for a, literally, darker future.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The sanctions only effect the Japanese people. Eventually Zalenskyy will surrender and Ukraine will be a neutral country, as it should be.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

A better way to put it is, it is better to give oil revenue to a Japanese company than to give it to Russia/China. Risky? Yes, but riskier to give up stake.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Doing any business with Russia that gets it income is sadly helping fuel the invasion and paying for invasion. Reduction is good but ending is better. The pain felt in enacting sanctions is much preferred to what Ukraine is going through.

You wouldn't watch someone rape a young girl then go off to work with them like the rape didnt happen, let alone if it was murder. There is no easy way to stand up when one nation is killing another. Quiet acceptance is heinous in itself. Helping it indirectly is even worse. Stand up for your own values of morality and fairness. If you cant do that then you may as well not have any.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

If the EU and US sanctions were written in English then technically and legally this project does not contradict those sanctions.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Doing any business with Russia that gets it income is sadly helping fuel the invasion and paying for invasion

This ^ is what Germany is doing, in paying Russia, and thus funding its war machine.

Japan has a stake in a project on Russian soil, money AND gas goes to Japan. It's a financial invasion of Russia by Japan.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

 Ukraine will be a neutral country, as it should be.

Ukraine might in fact have been neutral had Russia not invaded and brought war to a sovereign nation, Ukraine might be able to start to become a neutral country after Vladimir's armies go back across the border to Russia, and Putin and the Kremlin decide to keep their armies within Russian borders and allow Ukrainians to decide their own future, be it side with the 'west', side with Russia, or remain neutral and independent.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Co-owning of the projects and purchase from the projects/its quota are two different things.

And right, Exxon Mobil or Shell withdrew, China or India or even some Middle Eastern step in,

Russia doesn't feel a thing.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The only way to reduce emissions is to increase the price of energy. Blocking Russian energy does this, nudging the blame on to Vlad the Invader.

Unfortunately, it also means cheap energy for China, an extra reason for waverers to pivot to Moscow, further damage to Western economies, hungry, cold Europeans and unpopular European governments. Plus friction with Japan and a general return to coal, which will do nothing good for those emissions.

Western governments may want a prolonged Cold War with Putin to boost their increasingly nationalist regimes, but their economies, their citizens and the environment cannot sustain it.

If they really don't want to bump off Putin - as he is member of the political leader's club and so, one of their own - they will need to move far more weapons to the Ukraine, more quickly.

Unfortunately, years of Afghan/Russia style conflict look likely, with Ukraine getting comprehensively trashed, whilst the global economy slides and the West becomes more unstable, their citizens refusing to freeze for Ukraine come winter, no matter how much coverage of Russian atrocities gets shovelled on to the TV. Ukraine is a political tennis ball in all this, and it is going to be tough on them, whilst Westerners are going to want to know why, if the US can bump off bin Laden, Putin gets to enjoy his vodka, and Russian embassies around the world are not being closed. If the Russian government are the new Nazis, shouldn't we be targeting those embassies around the world, staffed by Russian government appointees, the way we would target Nazis?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

They absolutely do contradict sanctions and contradict Japan's statements that they are taking a hardline on Russia and want to support Ukraine. What it does NOT contradict is Japan's constant willingness to try and lie to the rest of the world the way it lies to its citizens while trying to play both sides.

-5 ( +12 / -17 )

SmithinJapan

Even double more hypocritical are the European Elites who use way moregas from Russia and let poorer Ukraine die as rich Finland and sweden Waltz in.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

The country of Japan always plays both sides, with no spine.

-5 ( +12 / -17 )

Japan will eventually back down and retreat from any ongoing economic project with China-Russia. If not, there will be mysterious disappearances, corruption scandals, and suicides among Japanese elites under the hands of the CIA.

Kakuei Tanaka is still remaining a lesson for Japanese elites today on how relentless and vengeful the US can become.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Japan does not need to be energy dependent. National security is enhanced when we stop depending on fossil fuels and go 100% renewable. This is a good investment for the future. And, should include battery storage and pumped hydro storage.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What it does NOT contradict is Japan's constant willingness to try and lie to the rest of the world the way it lies to its citizens while trying to play both sides.

Japan plays a clever game and I believe that this is the right way to go. The government has to take the welfare of all Japanese citizens into account and probably came to the result that anti Russia sanctions have their limits. This is far smarter than the Western approach to sanction everything and everybody (Russians and own population) . In Europe the awakening from the hyper sanctions will soon come latest by start of the winter season. European and American sanctions are completely out of this world. One can only ask the question what is the reason for this "Sanction Overdrive?" If it is to destroy Russia than they can wait a Loooong time without enough gas, oil, agricultural products and so on. Russia is very patient and one more fact: During Russia's long history they have never lost a land war, neither to the Swedes, Napoleon or Hitler.

Finally, no, I'm not a Russian and personally have no interest in this country.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The sanctions only effect the Japanese people. Eventually Zalenskyy will surrender and Ukraine will be a neutral country, as it should be.

Minus the east of the country up to and including Kiev and south to the border of Moldova. As it should be. The Russian province of Ukraine was always about the same size as Hungary, Romania or Czechoslovakia. Until first Lenin and the Bolsheviks and then Stalin increased it's size by a factor of 4.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Even on a cloudy day like this my solar panels are at over 30% of what I get on a good day but my room lighting will be run off the power that I have gained from today’s sun.

There are vast industrial areas all over Japan with large factory roofs, stadiums and car parks that don’t have a single panel on them.

The use of solar is so underutilised in Japan that it makes Japan look like a joke!

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@Samit Basu

Iam sorry, but this does violate US and EU sanctions .

Well...iam sorry also that you apparently are unaware of the fact that Japan isn't part of Europe or a member of the EU.

Therefore Japan isn't in violation of US and EU sanctions !

furthermore Japan is free to make it's own decisions concerning its stakes status with the Sakhalin project.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Even on a cloudy day like this my solar panels are at over 30% of what I get on a good day but my room lighting will be run off the power that I have gained from today’s sun.

There are vast industrial areas all over Japan with large factory roofs, stadiums and car parks that don’t have a single panel on them.

The use of solar is so underutilised in Japan that it makes Japan look like a joke!

Solar has enormous potential but it takes a very large amount of energy to make solar panels and then batteries to store the power. It has potential but is some years or some decades away from replacing fossil fuels.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Morally, if you have principal, if/when you feel that something/someone has done something wrong, and like to punish/sanction him/them, you do so, without considering the cost/any consequences. You do not create loop holes for yourself, and use it yourself. Which is what this is, buying/using of Russian energy, here, EU. What a joke, smart people are not fooled. Just a farce/ulterior motives.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

kjell:

Well, luckily Japan isn't under the jurisdiction of the US or EU.

Well, maybe not EU.

EU: We're going to boycott and sanction Russia.

Russia: Here, let me help you. (Cuts off gas).

0 ( +5 / -5 )

NadrewToday  12:21 pm JST

Japan does not need to be energy dependent. National security is enhanced when we stop depending on fossil fuels and go 100% renewable. This is a good investment for the future. And, should include battery storage and pumped hydro storage.

Far out, eco-submarines for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.

How does that work exactly? 20 DIESEL powered submarines can suddenly become...?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sanctions to an energy and agriculture power do not work, period. It only makes average Russian people lives miserable, but you still have to pay PUTIN.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That this govt has not, will not invest in renewables is a disgrace and an unwarranted tax on a population that is getting relatively poorer every single day. That Okinawa isn't solar powered? HSIT.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why should Usa's or Westerners' war be everybody's else war? Each and every nation should have its own foreign policy based solely on the nation's interests.

What if Japan sees the solution for this conflict in sitting around a table, would the allies give it a listen?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Every other free nation has sacrificed billions of dollars in lost assets in Russia due to the invasion but only Japan is two faced enough to try to justify clinging onto projects that enrich the Russians

Billions of dollars ? Japan would lose 10 times more per year as national burden ( not just as private investments) by withdrawing only from Sakhalin 2 for example.

What's the point of the action where Russia doesn't feel anything even not feel itchy?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan plays a clever game and I believe that this is the right way to go. 

I guess Japan doesn't expect Ukraine crisis should last that long and foresee the post-Putin Russia.

So do all Europe heavily depending on Russian energy.

No matter how much you spend your bloody tax money for international cooperation, you're not appreciated

at all, but get scorned as "Japan is only paying up money with no soul....insincere...heartless... etc...

Give them a break will you?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Heck. Japan can completely freeze and confiscate JPY denominated assets of Central Bank of Russia for the price of current stakes of Sakhalin projects

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Has Europe stopped buying oil and gas from Russia?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

There is a saying, The perfect is the enemy of the good. Japan has done more than any other East Asian country to counter Russia while supporting Ukraine.

In the long run, it is obvious that buying Russian petroleum empowers Putin's psychotic militarism. In the short run, it makes sense to avoid shooting oneself in the foot while opposing Putin.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

America is the top oil producing country and top oil importing country. Why is the country that crazy wasteful ? Why do they have to drive a big gas guzzler? If America stops importing oil from overseas, Japan and European countries don't have to import oil from Russia. America has to change her wasteful life style first !!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It might be wise to flog such assets before the Russian government nationalises them. And by nationalises, I mean sequestrates. Japan is planning laws that prevent foreign companies from owning some Japanese assets for reasons of national security. Russia may reciprocate, not wanting Japan to own any part of its energy infrastructure for the same reason.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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