50 years of Japanese LNG imports

Congratulations Japan on 50 years of LNG imports! November 4th 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Japan’s first LNG import, with partner celebrations to follow today on 6th November. The Polar Alaska arrived at Japan’s Negishi terminal with that first cargo in late 1969 and since then the LNG industry has evolved dramatically in no small part due to Japan and Japanese companies. Japan remains the world’s largest LNG importer, a leader in contracting innovation, a major shipping player, a pivotal buyer who has helped to underpin new LNG developments around the world, and a key partner for developing new LNG markets. In this Inform, we take a look back at that first cargo, how the Japan’s LNG industry has changed over the last fifty years through five graphics, and what lies ahead for Japanese LNG.