Japan Seeks Foreign Bank Backing for $33 Billion U.S. Gas Push

The Japanese finance ministry confirmed that loans from foreign institutions could receive backing from the state-run export credit agency, NEXI. This strategy complements existing support from the Bank for International Cooperation, intended to solidify a massive $550 billion investment package. Reports indicate that JP Morgan and other U.S. lenders are currently nearing an agreement to participate in this initiative, which includes the construction of a 9.2 GW natural gas power plant—the largest of its kind globally.

Beyond gas production, the capital influx will fund a deepwater oil port in the Gulf. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has noted the terminal is designed to handle 1 million barrels of crude daily, potentially adding $20–30 billion in annual export revenue. This infrastructure push serves as a cornerstone of the broader trade deal, which also secured a reduction in U.S. tariffs on Japanese goods from 25% to 15% in exchange for expanded market access for American automotive and agricultural products.