Japan reduced LNG imports to the lowest level in 20 years - 5.5 bcm

Japan's LNG imports fell to a more than 20-year low in May at 5.5 bcm, down 31% from a year ago and 11% from April, Bloomberg data showed. Deliveries from the USA to Japan in May, according to ExPro calculations, amounted to about 185 mcm.

The decline occurred against the backdrop of increased nuclear power generation, which led to lower gas demand and the country's overall energy conservation efforts. Japan's government is urging households and businesses to save electricity and has raised utility bills after last year's energy crisis.

The low demand is also significantly contributed by the significant reserves in the country's gas storage facilities, after a milder than expected winter period. According to Bloomberg, in May some importers even tried to resell cargo to other countries.