Japan fears China-Russia LNG alliance after Shell exits Sakhalin-2

Tokyo could see its import quotas reduced under new ownership

A Japanese-made liquefied natural gas carrier anchored near an LNG plant on the Russian island of Sakhalin. © Reuters

SHUNSUKE TABETA and DAISUKE SUZUKI, Nikkei staff writers

April 23, 2022 02:21 JST

BEIJING/TOKYO -- Energy giant Shell's reported talks with Chinese companies over its stake in the Sakhalin-2 project raise energy security concerns for Japan as possible Moscow-Beijing dominance in the project could end up reducing Japan's liquefied natural gas access.