Japan is projected to overtake China as the world's largest importer of liquefied natural gas this year for the first time since 2022. Consultancies ICIS and Kpler report that elevated spot prices and elevated domestic storage levels in China have constrained Chinese purchases. The shift comes alongside disruptions to Asian LNG demand following halts to shipments from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Asian energy firms and ministerial delegations have established their largest presence to date at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec). The event features 353 Asian companies and six national pavilions, with heavy representation from China, Japan, and India focused on securing Gulf energy supplies. In total, the fully booked exhibition hosts 2,260 exhibiting companies and more than 181,000 pre-registered attendees.
An analysis by maritime research consultancy Drewry indicates that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have transformed LNG supply dynamics between Gulf producers and Asian buyers. Deliveries from the UAE and Qatar previously met roughly 20 percent of global demand, prompting importers in China and East Asia to seek alternative supplies and long-term contracts.
Japan imported 1.36 million tonnes of downstream aluminium products in January–August 2026, marking a 6.2% decline year-on-year. Shipments from the UAE plunged 41.8% to 157,022 tonnes, relegating the country to second place among Japan's major suppliers while Australia took the top spot. Japan's spending on imports from the UAE dropped 31.8% to USD 517 million, whereas suppliers from China and Brazil gained market share.
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