PRESS RELEASE
February 5, 2025
Ahead of Trump visit, 350.org Japan urges Prime Minister Ishiba to say no to fossil gas
Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to visit United States President Donald Trump this Friday to strengthen economic and security cooperation between the two countries. Reports indicate that increasing Japan’s imports of US gas, as well as Japan’s support for a $44 billion gas pipeline in Alaska, will be discussed. Analysts say that new tariff measures imposed by the US may pressure its trading partners to buy more gas from the US, which plans to ramp up gas production under the Trump administration. Japan is the world’s second-biggest LNG (liquefied natural gas) importer.
Masayoshi Iyoda, 350.org Japan Campaigner says:
“We urge Prime Minister Ishiba to refrain from a deal with the US that would make Japan even more dependent on fossil gas. Japan is already buying too much LNG for its own consumption and is in fact reselling it to other countries in Asia, in a growing gas trade controlled by Japanese companies. Japan and the rest of the region don’t need more gas, which only locks in our dependence on fossil fuels and intensifies climate-related disasters. What we need is sustainable, affordable, and fair renewable energy. To avoid worsening climate impacts, Japan must fulfill its global commitment to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 instead. Reducing our fossil fuel imports and investing in community-led renewables will also contribute to energy self-sufficiency and improve air quality and people’s health.
“We remind PM Ishiba of his responsibility to put the interests of the Japanese people and the planet ahead of the fossil fuel industry and to lead the just energy transition in Asia. He must not follow Trump’s lead in seeking to bolster dirty energy.”
Masayoshi Iyoda, 350.org Japan Campaigner
We remind PM Ishiba of his responsibility to put the interests of the Japanese people and the planet ahead of the fossil fuel industry and to lead the just energy transition in Asia. He must not follow Trump’s lead in seeking to bolster dirty energy. We urge PM Ishiba to exercise strong leadership by doing the exact opposite of his US counterpart: ambitious climate action and diplomacy that can better serve Japan and the rest of Asia.”
Media Contact:
Ilang-Ilang Quijano,
350.org Asia Communications Manager:
+639175810934, ilang.quijano@350.org