TOKYO, Japan: Japan’s biggest power company, JERA, says it might buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Alaska. This comes as Japanese officials prepare to meet with the U.S. again for trade talks.

The Alaska LNG project involves building a pipeline and gas plant and is estimated to cost $44 billion. It is important to U.S. President Donald Trump, who wants countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to support it.

JERA executive Naohiro Maekawa said Alaska is one of several options the company is considering to ensure steady energy supplies.

Trump imposed a 24 percent tariff on goods from Japan, but most of those taxes have been paused until July. A 10 percent basic tariff and a 25 percent car tariff are still active. Japan’s trade chief, Ryosei Akazawa, will discuss the tariffs with U.S. officials this week.

JERA buys about 35 million metric tons of LNG each year, mainly from Australia. Japan is the world’s second-biggest LNG buyer after China.

Maekawa said JERA wants to get gas from more places, such as North America and the Middle East, not just Asia. Right now, about 10 percent of JERA’s LNG comes from the U.S.

A source told Reuters that Trump’s energy team is planning a meeting in Alaska in June, hoping Japan and South Korea will agree to help with the project. However, Japanese companies are still unsure because the Alaska project is expensive and not thoroughly planned out.

Another Japanese gas company, Tokyo Gas, said Alaska could be a good supplier because it’s close to Japan and doesn’t need to use canals or straits. However, building the pipeline could be very costly.

JERA also reported that its profit fell last year, primarily because of losses in overseas power and renewable energy businesses. It made 184 billion yen (about $1.3 billion) but expects profits to rise to 230 billion yen this year.

JERA said it bought 5 million tons of spot LNG in 2024-2025, slightly more than the year before. ($1 = 143.7700 yen)