The agreement, announced on Sunday to be facilitated through the government-backed Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, comes amid heightened worries over energy supply due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Specific details of the deal, including purchase volumes and pricing, are yet to be determined. The arrangement could potentially support Eni's LNG project in Mozambique, with the Italian firm seeking backing from Japanese companies, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Japan has been seeking to bolster its energy security since increasing its reliance on LNG following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The country currently sources about 10 percent of its LNG from the Middle East, with the majority coming from Australia and Malaysia.
The move reflects growing concerns over potential disruptions to LNG supply routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for LNG carriers from major producers such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
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