Khaldon Azhari, Tokyo

Saudi Arabia ranked as the biggest source of crude oil imports to Japan with 33.233 million barrels or 36.4% percent of the country's total take in January 2020, data released by the Agency of Energy and Natural Resource in Tokyo showed.

In January, Japan imported from 29.224 million barrels or 32% percent of the total from the UAE, while Kuwait provided 9.878 million barrels or 10.8%.

Oil imports from Qatar accounted 9.319 million barrels or 10.2% percent.

Japan imported 3.286 million barrels from Russia, which amounts to 3.6% percent of its imports.

Oil imports for the US accounted for 983.9 million barrels or 1.1% percent.

Arab oil, including crude from Bahrain (2.2%) and Oman (1.9%) accounted for 85.396 million barrels or 93.4% percent, of Japan’s petroleum needs in January.

Japan’s total crude oil imports in that month amounted to 91.406 million barrels, the agency said.

Japan boycott of Iranian oil continued in January for the 9 months due to the American sanctions.