According to a press conference, Tokyo Gas and Sumitomo Corp. started a natural gas liquefaction plant planned in the Maryland state in the eastern United States from 9th of this month.

Produced LNG = liquefied natural gas will arrive in Japan from late next month, and about 2.3 million tons will be exported mainly to Japan over the next 20 years.

Mr. Yoshihisa Yamada, general manager of raw material control at Tokyo Gas press conference, said, "It will lead to strengthening relations between Japan and the US energy sector and promoting trade."

Regarding natural gas whose production is increasing in the United States, Japan has agreed to cooperate in export expansion in the US-Japan economic dialogue in October last year.

Under such circumstances, in addition to this, the export plans of natural gas that Japanese companies participated are advanced.

As the Trump regime sees a problem of trade deficit, the Japanese side wants to emphasize the outcome for exporting US exports, including the start of operations this time before the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting is.