Flexibility, rather than volume alone, will define the future of LNG procurement across Asia, said Izumi Kai, chief executive officer, JERA Asia, at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa on Wednesday.
JERA, Japan’s largest power producer and the world’s biggest LNG buyer, supplies nearly 30 per cent of Japan’s electricity during peak summer months. “Securing stable supply has always been critical. But today, managing uncertainty in future demand is just as important,” said Kai.
He said that buyers increasingly value flexible contracts, including shipping control and portfolio optimisation, to adapt to changing market conditions. “Long-term security remains important, but flexibility is no longer optional,” he noted.
Beyond Japan, JERA is expanding its footprint as an IPP investor and terminal stakeholder across Asia.
Over the next 5–10 years, India’s LNG imports could exceed 100 mtpa, he said, with India’s share of global energy demand rising faster than most regions. While gas-based power may account for only around 4 per cent of India’s power mix by 2050, Kai stressed that even this share represents a substantial absolute volume. “Four per cent may sound small, but in kilowatt-hours it is very significant,” he said.
He cautioned that coal will not disappear quickly in price-sensitive Asian markets, but emissions can still be reduced through higher efficiency, co-firing with ammonia, and future hydrogen blending.
“Each country needs a tailor-made approach. But flexible LNG, backed by long-term commitment, will remain central to Asia’s energy transition,” he said.
