Japan and Qatar have finalized a long-term energy agreement that will see 3 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplied annually to Japan over the next 27 years, starting in 2028.

The deal was concluded between Jera Co., one of Japan’s largest energy firms, and QatarEnergy, the state-owned energy company in Doha. Jera emphasized that the agreement is part of its strategy to maintain a diverse and resilient LNG supply, sourcing from the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, the United States, and other regions.

LNG remains a crucial component of Japan’s energy mix, even as the country moves to expand its nuclear and renewable energy capacity. According to the latest energy plan, the share of LNG-fired thermal power is projected to drop to 30–40% by fiscal 2040, down from 68.6% in fiscal 2023.

In 2023, Japan imported a total of 66.15 million tons of LNG, with Qatar accounting for 4.4% of the supply. Australia and Malaysia were the leading exporters, providing 41.6% and 15.6%, respectively.

In addition to the supply contract, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding with Jera and QatarEnergy.

This agreement allows Tokyo to request extra LNG deliveries during natural disasters or other energy security emergencies, strengthening Japan’s preparedness for potential supply disruptions.