Japan’s finance minister has dismissed a U.S. proposal to impose steep tariffs on countries such as China and India for continuing to import Russian oil. Speaking to reporters, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato emphasized that Japan advocates for fair treatment of all World Trade Organization members and opposes unilateral tariff hikes.
Kato’s remarks came during a recent G20 meeting where the United States urged its G7 allies to consider levying tariffs of up to 100% on nations purchasing Russian energy. Japan, however, remains cautious, citing its own reliance on Russian energy imports—particularly natural gas from the Sakhalin-2 project—as essential for domestic energy stability.
While Japan has joined Western sanctions against Russia, it continues to import Russian oil and liquefied natural gas, which are not currently subject to international restrictions. Officials in Tokyo have stressed the importance of coordinating with G7 partners to develop effective measures to counter Russia’s actions in Ukraine, without undermining energy security or global trade rules.
The U.S. initiative reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to use trade policy as a diplomatic tool. Yet, Japan’s stance signals a divergence among allies, as some European nations also resist cutting energy ties with Russia entirely.
