Japan interested in gas pipeline from Russia
MOSCOW. April 29 (Interfax) - Japan expects it will be possible to build a gas pipeline from Russia to its shores, said Etsuro Honda, aide to the Japanese prime minister.
"Liquefied gas is being supplied under the Sakhalin-2 project. But the technology itself is very costly. It think it would be cheaper to supply gas via a submarine pipeline. I think the time will come when this project is launched," Honda said in an interview with Interfax.
Asked about the prospects for an energy bridge between Russia and Japan, Honda said: "Japan would like to diversify energy supplies and I think this project would benefit both Japan and Russia. If this issue is being discussed I think there ought to be a good outcome," he said.
"The key factor in economic growth is stable energy, he said. "In this sense energy cooperation with Russia, above all in East Siberia and the Far East, is crucial for Japan. Japan is highly dependent on the Middle East, from where it impost most of its energy. We'd like to diversify energy sources with Russia's help, and with help from the ASEAN countries and the United States," he said.