Nikkei wrote that the GOJ will support Japanese companies’ exports of liquefied natural gas produced in the United States to other parts of Asia. Under the current rules, vessels carrying American LNG only qualify for subsidies such as discounted trade insurance if they stop at ports in Japan before heading to third countries. However, Tokyo plans to remove this requirement as early as this year because it costs businesses time and money. The GOJ also plans to extend financial support for projects by Japanese companies to build LNG terminals in other Asian countries. The paper speculated that the move is intended to help expand Japan’s exports of energy infrastructure, such as generators and LNG terminals, while supporting shale gas exports by the United States.