ISLAMABAD: During a recent lunch with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized a longstanding proposal to develop Alaska’s gas resources and ship it to U.S. allies in Asia. The project, which aims to connect Alaska’s North Slope gas fields to the Pacific coast via an 800-mile pipeline, has long struggled with high costs and difficult terrain.
Trump and his energy advisor Doug Burgum presented the venture as an opportunity for Japan to reduce reliance on Middle Eastern energy sources and address its trade imbalance with the U.S. Ishiba, keen to maintain positive relations with the U.S., expressed cautious optimism about Japan’s potential participation in the $44 billion Alaska LNG project.
Though the project has significant logistical and financial challenges, it could help Japan, South Korea, and other East Asian nations diversify their energy imports while boosting the U.S. economy. Japan, a key energy investor and LNG buyer, would play a central role in Trump’s vision of securing regional allies through U.S. energy exports. By increasing purchases of U.S. LNG, Japan could help offset the influence of Russia and China in the energy sector.
The U.S. also highlighted the strategic benefits of the project, noting that it would avoid critical shipping choke points such as the Straits of Hormuz and the South China Sea, thus enhancing energy security for Japan and other Asian nations.
With U.S. LNG already accounting for about 10% of Japan’s imports, experts predict that the proportion could rise significantly over the next decade as existing contracts with other countries, including Russia, expire. This growing reliance on U.S. energy would strengthen ties between the U.S. and Asia, positioning the U.S. as a key energy partner for the region.
Trump’s energy strategy is gaining traction across Asia, with Taiwan, India, and South Korea also considering increased purchases of U.S. LNG. The potential for energy security bonds, particularly for Taiwan in light of its dispute with China, is also being explored as a part of broader regional energy cooperation.
For Japan, the Alaska LNG project presents both economic and geopolitical opportunities. By investing in U.S. energy infrastructure, Japan could solidify its position as a key energy hub in East Asia, furthering its economic interests while enhancing its security ties with the United States.
