Japan utilities raise LNG stockpiles to 2.2 million tons, higher than 5-yr average

TOKYO, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Liquefied natural gas stockpiles held by major Japanese utilities rose to 2.23 million metric tons in the week to Nov 16, higher than the same period last year, data released by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed.

The figure was also higher than the 2.05 million tones for the same period on average for the last five years, the data showed. In the prior week, stockpiles were at 1.96 million tones.

Power utilities in Japan, the world's second biggest LNG buyer behind China, usually increase stockpiles ahead of peak demand seasons such as summer and winter. In January 2025, stockpiles were at 2.41 million tones, the data shows.