Japanese LNG imports hit new highs in 2012

摘要

Japanese LNG imports rose to 87.3 million metric tons in 2012, up 11.2% compared with 2011, according to customs data released by the Ministry of Finance. The increase was driven by sustained demand from power generators, who needed more of the fuel to help replace electricity output from the country's 48 shuttered nuclear reactors. Japan paid an average of Yen 68,734/mt for LNG in 2012, equivalent to $864.07/mt ($16.62/MMBtu). This was up 13.4% from 2011, when the average LNG import price was Yen 60,958/mt and when imports totaled 78.5 million mt.