Japan, veering away from nuclear usage following the radiation breakout of its Fukushima plants early this year, will be importing more of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) type to address its power requirements.

During an energy conference in Moscow on Thursday, Daisuke Harada, deputy general manager of the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp, said Japan's LNG demand will grow by 20 million tonnes in 2012.

Whereas for 2011 alone, Japan's demand for the frozen gas will hit by 12 million tonnes.

"Additional LNG demand will rise in 2012 compared to 2010 if all the reactors under inspection do not restart their operations," Mr Harada said.

In 2010, Japan imported more than 70 million tonnes of LNG from Australia, as well as from Qatar, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Japan is currently working on creating a new energy policy that is less dependent on nuclear power plant usage, spurred by the March 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disasters. Prime Minister Naoto Kan had earlier said Japan needs to promote the use and role of renewables in the country's energy mix.

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