Japan pushes LNG in Southeast Asia as its own demand slows

TOKYO — Southeast Asian countries’ transition to liquefied natural gas and the expected surge in demand for the fuel is spurring Japanese companies to expand their LNG business in the region as their home market’s needs shrink.

Natural gas is becoming an important resource for ASEAN’s 10 members. Vietnam and the Philippines began importing LNG in 2023 to fuel their gas-fired power plants.