en.Wedoany.com Reported - JERA, Japan's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyer, has confirmed that it has secured sufficient inventories to meet peak summer demand from August through October, with no risk of a gas shortage during the period. A company executive stated that it has significantly reduced LNG purchases from Qatar and will secure winter supply through its global trading division.

Japan is one of the world's most energy-import-dependent countries, with a large share of its oil and gas supply historically coming from the Middle East. Export disruptions caused by conflict have forced Japan to seek alternative sources, with the United States now emerging as the largest low-risk LNG supplier.

JERA is working to diversify its sources of supply for key fuels. Last month, the company signed a 20-year LNG supply contract with Malaysia's Petronas, with deliveries set to begin in 2028. Malaysia is Japan's second-largest LNG supplier, trailing only Australia. In addition to expanding procurement from non-Middle Eastern suppliers, Japanese utilities were also compelled earlier this year to increase coal-fired power generation to safeguard electricity supply security.

The agreement with Petronas provides 2 million tonnes of LNG annually, supplementing supply deals JERA had previously secured. As the world's largest LNG buyer, JERA last year proposed plans to triple its gas purchases sourced solely from the United States to 5.5 million tonnes per year. This volume represents a 10% increase over its current imports from the U.S. and accounts for one-third of its total LNG procurement.