The decline would follow a projected 0.8 percent rise for the current financial year ending in March, the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) said in its short-term outlook.

Liquefied natural gas imports will likely rise to a record 88.75 million tonnes in 2013/14, up from a projected 87.65 million tonnes in 2012/13, IEEJ said.

Only two nuclear reactors are in operation more than 18 months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster and prospects are uncertain for any further restarts of idled units.