Japan Secures Emergency LNG Supply from Malaysia

Japan has signed its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) emergency supply deal with Malaysia's Petronas. The agreement was announced on September 11 by Japan's industry ministry and allows Petronas to deliver LNG to the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, which will then supply private buyers if they cannot obtain it elsewhere.

The deal is part of Japan's efforts to diversify its sources of LNG supply. Tetsuya Azuma, a director at the Japanese ministry's energy resources development division, said that Japan would seek similar agreements with other countries.

Petronas Executive Vice President and CEO of gas & maritime business, Datuk Adif Zulkifli, stated that the deal reflects the trust built up between Petronas and JOGMEC 'over many years'. He added that by establishing a more agile framework for future LNG supply arrangements, Petronas is better positioned to respond to evolving energy needs.