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May 02, 2024
 

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Stephen Stapczynski
For Stephen Stapczynski's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 22, 2022
China's interest in Shell's Russian gas stake adds impetus for Japan to stay
Exiting Russian LNG projects would force Japan to source replacement fuel from the already tight spot market, threatening to boost prices that are trading near record-high levels.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 7, 2022
Global energy upheaval threatens years of natural gas shortages
The natural gas market's delicate balance is crumbling, putting the global economy under further strain as nations struggle to secure enough fuel.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2022
China gas buyers seek cheap Russian fuel shunned by the world
Most LNG importers around the world won't buy Russian cargoes out of fear of future sanctions or damage to reputation, but some Chinese firms are willing to take that risk.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 30, 2022
Japan’s energy buyers warn that the weak yen threatens their business
The depreciation of the yen will amplify soaring energy and commodity prices that are hurting both companies and consumers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 25, 2022
Tohoku Electric LNG tender shuts out Russian gas
Until now, traders haven't seen a purchase tender that has been so specific in avoiding the country.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 22, 2022
Japan’s power crisis was a decade in making and won’t go away
The world's third-largest economy has been running on a thinner supply of electricity since the triple meltdown at Fukushima in March 2011 shut its massive fleet of nuclear reactors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2022
Energy shock hitting poorer nations reliant on imports hardest
Some countries don't have the fiscal buffer enjoyed by wealthier peers and can't count on increased revenue from their own exports.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 9, 2022
Japan resists pressure to follow Big Oil’s exit from Russia
Unless the situation with Russia drastically changes, Japanese companies and consortia have decided to keep their stakes in Sakhalin 1, Sakhalin 2 and Arctic LNG 2 projects.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 19, 2022
Japan’s LNG inventories slump to seven-month low on cold weather
The country has also received 10% fewer LNG deliveries in the one-month period through Monday compared to last year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 2, 2021
Japan backs oil and gas even after COP26 climate talks
Weeks after world leaders pledged to combat climate change at the COP26 summit, Japan is already showing signs of putting the brakes on divestment from fossil fuels.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 27, 2021
Asia snaps up American shale gas to keep boilers and furnaces lit
While U.S. gas prices have more than doubled this year, they still are much lower than overseas markets in large part because of the bounty of North American shale fields.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 29, 2021
Coal prices rising worldwide as China struggles to meet its growing demand
The dirtiest fossil fuel, which was struggling against cleaner energy sources, is now seeing its biggest comeback ever, complicating climate talks just weeks away.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 16, 2021
Japan’s ‘carbon neutral’ liquefied natural gas shipments may not offset emissions
Measures such as preventing deforestation or supporting renewable energy projects actually do little to extract additional carbon from the air, and shouldn't contribute to net-zero claims.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Aug 12, 2021
The fictitious world of 'carbon neutral' fossil fuel
Climate experts say some offset deals do virtually nothing to decrease carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, falling far short of neutral.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 9, 2021
The era of cheap natural gas ends as prices surge by 1,000%
With few other options, the world is expected to depend more on cleaner-burning gas as a replacement to coal to help achieve near-term green goals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 27, 2021
Japan’s green ambitions threaten the LNG market it helped create
The country, the world's top LNG importer, called for more renewables such as wind and solar to replace natural gas in a revised plan released last week.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 15, 2021
Japan joins U.S. in urging China to accelerate climate action
China's 'air pollution control could directly affect our people's health and society,' said Japan's Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / Remembering 3/11
Mar 8, 2021
To secure a green future, Japan must reckon with its nuclear past
The government panel shaping the nation's energy future sees the restart of almost every reactor halted after meltdowns in 2011 as necessary to meet climate goals.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 6, 2021
Fukushima plant owner says nuclear power needed to hit green goal
Tepco chief says nuclear energy is indispensable for the company to curb CO2 emissions 50% by fiscal 2030 from 2013 levels as boosting capacity of renewables takes time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 30, 2020
Japan net zero plan hits speed bump as small utilities balk
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. and Shikoku Electric Power Co. said this week they can't set deadlines to become emissions neutral because it's too costly.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Did Japan intervene to prop up the yen? Analysts think it did.
A man walks past an electronic board displaying the exchange rate for the yen against the U.S. dollar (right) in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Number of vacant homes in Japan hits record high of 9 million
A vacant house in Tokyo is seen demolished in January 2020.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.

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