By Marwa Rashad
JERA, Japan’s top LNG buyer, is set to boost its purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States to diversify its supply and meet the growing demand driven by data centres and AI, as revealed by a senior executive to Reuters at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
President Donald Trump’s push to increase U.S. energy production has opened up opportunities for JERA to tap into American gas, albeit facing potential competition from other buyers.
Currently sourcing nearly half of its 30-35 million metric tons (mt) of LNG from the Asia Pacific region, JERA aims to rebalance its portfolio and increase exposure to U.S. energy projects. The company is already purchasing 3.2 million tons in long-term contracts from America, with plans for further expansion.
However, JERA remains cautious about the long-term sustainability of LNG policies in the U.S., the world’s largest LNG exporter.
While welcoming Trump’s energy policies, JERA is seeking alternatives to Russian supplies, which are vulnerable to sanctions. The company plans to engage with suppliers in the Middle East for a more geographically balanced energy portfolio.
Looking ahead, JERA remains optimistic about natural gas and energy demand in Japan, fueled by the need for stable power from data centres and AI. Despite potential delays in new LNG projects, the company maintains a bullish outlook for the 2026 to 2029 period.