Japan intends to maintain its participation in energy projects on Sakhalin as they have strategic significance for national energy security, according to the 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

The document says that the Government of Japan remains committed to participation in Russia’s Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 oil and gas projects due to their importance for Japan’s energy security and stable energy supplies in the medium to long term.

Japan has consistently affirmed its intention to retain its share in the Russian oil and gas projects due to their critical role in Japan’s energy security. The country had previously expected to buy 2 million tons per year from Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, operated by Novatek. However, in November 2023, the United States imposed sanctions on Novatek’s subsidiary Arctic LNG 2, followed by sanctions targeting companies and vessels associated with Arctic LNG 2 in May 2024.