The Japanese trading firm Mitsui & Co. is weighing the possibility of investing in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Alaska, although no concrete policy has been announced thus far. Chief Financial Officer Tetsuya Shigeta commented that such a project, given its location, represents a promising opportunity for the company.
In parallel, Japan is reportedly considering backing a massive $44-billion gas pipeline project in Alaska. This support is seen as a strategic maneuver to build closer ties with the United States—where Japan remains the largest investor—and to help alleviate potential trade tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Shigeta noted that a forthcoming meeting between Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Trump might further bolster Japan’s standing on the international stage, reinforcing its commitment to close cooperation with the United States. The natural resource project in Alaska, due to its proximity to Japan and other key Asian markets, is viewed as an ideal candidate for future collaboration.