Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: Japan’s imports of Saudi oil in April accounted for a substantial 31.10 million barrels, representing a significant 39.5% of the total, as reported by the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, a key division of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

During the month of April, Japan imported about 78.84 million barrels of oil, of which the Arab share was 95.6% or about 75.35 million. This significant contribution from five Arab countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, as well as the Neutral Zone, underscores the strategic importance of these nations in Japan’s energy security.

The UAE emerged as the largest supplier, providing 35.79 million barrels, which accounted for 45.4% of the total imports. Kuwait and Qatar followed suit, contributing 4.71 million barrels (6%) and 2.77 million barrels (3.5%) respectively. Even smaller contributors like Oman and the Neutral Zone played a role, each providing 0.6% of Japan’s total imports.

As Japan continued to ban importing oil from Iran and Russia in April, the rest of its oil imports, 4.4%, were sourced from the United States of America (1.6%), Central and South America (1.6%), Oceania (0.8%), and Southeast Asia (0.4%).