Resource-poor Japan courts Australia 50 years on

Japan sources more than 40 per cent of LNG from Australia. It is becoming increasingly concerned about the reliability of this supply, particularly under Labor's green energy policies. Diversification is problematic for Japan at a time when LNG investment is tapering off and unprecedented risks in supply from other exporters, not to mention competition from countries like China for resources in the Middle East. Major Japanese importer JERA and trading house Mitsui reached agreements with Oman late last year for purchase contracts running up to 10 years, Nikkei Asia reported. Energy giant Inpex, the most outspoken critic of Labor's gas…