Japan urged Russia during a ministerial meeting Thursday to lower the price of liquefied natural gas.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi asked for "a competitive price" for LNG from Russia in a meeting with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, noting Japan is expected to start importing lower-priced shale gas from the United States in 2017, Japanese officials said.
Japan, which is in greater need of fossil fuels as an alternative to nuclear power amid the nationwide reactor shutdown stemming from the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, is paying relatively higher prices for LNG imports from Russia.
In response, Novak pointed to the need for well-balanced pricing that reflects international market trends, according to the officials.
The ministers also confirmed bilateral cooperation in building LNG processing facilities in the Far East.