Japan PM Kishida in Qatar for LNG talks

Japan PM Kishida in Qatar for LNG talks

NNA -nbsp;Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in major gas-producer Qatar on Tuesday for the final leg of a Gulf tour that has focused on securing energy supplies and promoting Japanese high-tech.

Kishida, who has beennbsp;urged by Japan#39;s gas lobbyto secure new liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar, is expected to hold talks with the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, as well as minister of state for energy and QatarEnegy#39;s chief executive Saad Al Kaabi.

Kishida was greeted at the airport by the minister of economy and industry, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the state-run Qatar News Agency reported.

Japan, which remains highly dependent on oil and gas imports, did not renew several long term LNG contracts with Qatar when they lapsed in 2021 and 2022, significantly reducing gas imports from one of the world#39;s top LNG exporters.

Meanwhile, several other Asian buyers have signed long-term LNG supply contracts with Qatar, including a pair of record-lengthnbsp;27-year dealsnbsp;with Chinese importers for gas from Doha#39;s massive North Field expansion, which will increase the Gulf Arab state#39;s gas production by more than 60%.--Reutersnbsp;

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