Natural gas is just as an important primary energy source as petroleum and coal. Due to its
abundant reserves and cleanness of combustion gas discharged into the environment, no one could
argue with the presumption that its position will last into the future. In Japan, natural gas is
imported as LNG and the vaporized gas accounts for the largest part of the electricity and heat
supply. The gas supply chain for LNG has supported Japan's industrial infrastructure for over 40
years. The LNG supply chain will also be expanded into new markets including emerging countries
with rapidly increasing electric power demand because of the growing supply and falling price as
new natural gas resources will be tapped more. This report assesses the future LNG supply chain
based on our experiences in the LNG/gas businesses in which we have been involved.