Japan keen to buy more Bruneian oil

Japan will consider buying more crude oil from Brunei if it is able to supply more, said the Japanese ambassador to Brunei.

Japanese ambassador Noriko Iki was quoted by Brunei Times on Thursday that Japan is importing crude oil from Brunei, and buying more would contribute to the diversification of Japan's supply sources.

But the final decision will be made on a commercial basis and will be up to the private sector, she said.

"For Japan, Brunei is a country from which we have imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) for more than 40 years, and thus we see that the trade in LNG still remains the foundation of the relationship between the two countries today," she said.

She also noted that Japan has an interest in conducting joint research with Brunei in the energy sector and is considering the possibility of cooperation in the near future.

Speaking on renewable energy, the ambassador said Brunei's Tenaga Suria photovoltaic plant was granted from a Japanese company to the Brunei government six years ago.

"Since then, we believe that the Brunei government has made the most use of the plant as a showcase of renewable energy. When the Brunei government proceeds to the next stage of the practical introduction of photovoltaic generation based on the results from the experimental use of the plant, Japan is willing to make a contribution utilizing Japanese technology," she said. Enditem