Russia may consider doubling crude oil supplies to Japan this year compared with last year's roughly 9 million tons as part of disaster relief assistance, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said Tuesday, Kyodo News reported.

Sechin also told reporters that the state-run monopoly Gazprom is transporting 100,000 tons of liquefied natural gas on a tanker in the first batch of energy support following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan's northeast.

Possible future support could involve coal and electricity supplies, Sechin said, adding the Kremlin has proposed to Japan that a bilateral working-level group be set up to discuss quake-related relief measures.

Sechin reiterated earlier in the day Moscow's readiness to provide every possible support to Japan in a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono, who expressed gratitude for Russia's aid, according to officials familiar with their talks.

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