Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan and Canada have agreed to cooperate more closely on shipments of natural gas as the country seeks new energy supplies after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Abe, speaking yesterday to reporters in Ottawa at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said Canada is a stable source of energy and can provide gas at competitive prices. Abe said the two countries will hold “ministerial level consultations,” without providing details.

On Monday, the Sino-Myanmar natural gas pipeline began pumping to China, part of the Middle Kingdom’s drive to diversify its energy supplies, but, in light of recent diplomatic troubles, China is quick to shine a rosy light on this latest development. The Chinese state media charm offensive went into full swing. Xinhua described the opening ceremony as follows: "When torches flamed in the sky of Namkham Measuring Station of the Myanmar-China Gas Pipeline, a storm of applause and cheers broke out."