RE:RE:Giga Metals Joins Minister Wilkinson’s Trade Mission to Japa Ahead of a joint news conference with Trudeau and his Japanese counterpart, some of Kishida’s staff indicated to reporters that the island nation has “high expectations” that Canada can help supply Japan with LNG, most immediately from the 14mn metric tons/year LNG Canada terminal, set to begin exporting to Asia in 2025.
Japan’s Mitsubishi holds a 15% interest in the LNG Canada consortium through its subsidiary, Diamond LNG Canada Partnership.
According to a CTV News report, Kishida told a luncheon audience in Ottawa that LNG will play a “crucial role” in Japan’s energy transition, and the LNG Canada terminal – and others under development on the country’s west coast – are among the ways Canada can help in that transition.
But at the news conference, Trudeau appeared cool to the idea of exporting LNG, instead suggesting that as the world is looking to decarbonise, Canada needs to be prepared to meet those demands.
Last summer, during a state visit by German chancellor Olaf Scholz, Trudeau said a business case for LNG exports to Europe “could not be made” and suggested instead Germany look to green hydrogen exports from a proposed Newfoundland project still several years away from fruition.
On January 11, Alberta premier Danielle Smith sent a letter to Trudeau urging him to stress her province’s “strong desire” to supply affordable, reliable and sustainable energy – including LNG – to Japan.