Japan sees long-term role for LNG
Natural gas will be an essential part of Japan’s plan to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and beyond
Japan’s plan for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 includes a 46pc reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The country’s powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti) forecasts that, by 2050, 50-60pc of Japan’s energy mix will come from renewables, 30-40pc from nuclear and thermal generation—with integrated carbon capture, utilisation and storage—and the remaining 10pc from hydrogen or ammonia-fired generation. The ministry also sees large roles for hydrogen and ammonia in transport and industry as Japan transitions into a “hydrogen society”. But, along the way, Japan sees gas-fired power as important for its transition and will support such projects, both domestically and a
Also in this section
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
12 March 2026
LPG could rapidly expand access to clean cooking across Africa and prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from indoor air pollution each year, but infrastructure shortages and regulatory barriers are slowing investment and market growth
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy






