00:00In other news, Japanese Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi tells U.S. President Donald Trump
00:05that banning imports of Russian LNG will be extremely difficult,
00:10adding that such a move could hurt Japan's economy and benefit China instead.
00:14The comments come as the U.S. steps up pressure on countries still buying Russian energy,
00:19including Japan, to halt purchases amid new sanctions against Moscow's oil industry.
00:24During their meeting on Tuesday, the Nikkei Business Daily reported that Takaichi told Trump
00:32a complete withdrawal from Russian LNGs would only allow China and Russia to grow closer,
00:37adding that Japan's energy needs must be taken into account.
00:41Russian LNG currently accounts for about 9% of Japan's total imports,
00:46with companies Mitsui and Mitsubishi holding stakes in the Sakalin II project.
00:50Tokyo has already boosted U.S. LNG purchases to diversify supply sources
00:55while continuing to import small amounts of Russian oil
00:58under a sanctions waiver that expires in December.
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