Japan’s Mitsubishi to acquire $7.5bn U.S. natural gas assets in major overseas deal

Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan has announced plans to acquire natural gas assets in the United States, in one of the largest overseas acquisitions ever undertaken by a Japanese trading house.

The move aligns with Washington’s push for increased U.S. energy exports to Japan and other Asian markets.

At a press conference in Tokyo on Friday, Mitsubishi confirmed it has agreed to purchase all equity interests in companies collectively known as Aethon, taking over the firm’s operations and natural gas assets.

The total cost of the acquisition, including assumed debt, is expected to exceed 1.18 trillion yen (approximately $7.5 billion).

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Aethon is developing natural gas projects in Texas and Louisiana, which, at peak production, are expected to generate around 18 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually—roughly a quarter of Japan’s yearly LNG demand.

Mitsubishi said it plans to expand its U.S. sales network and boost LNG exports to Asian markets, including Japan, as part of broader efforts to strengthen long-term energy security.

Mitsubishi President and CEO Katsuya Nakanishi highlighted rising electricity demand, driven by factors such as the growth of artificial intelligence, and noted geopolitical risks in certain regions.

He described securing upstream natural gas assets in the United States as strategically vital for Japan’s energy stability.

The acquisition marks a major step for Mitsubishi in securing international energy resources, reflecting both Japan’s need for stable LNG supplies and the U.S. government’s drive to expand its energy exports abroad.