Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: Japan’s April crude oil imports from the UAE significantly increased in April 2021 making the country Japan’s top provider with 31.31 million barrels or 39.3% of total imports, according to data from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 

UAE crude amounted to 18.430 million barrels or 25.4% of the total in the previous month, March, and 37.488 million barrels or 38.7% in March 2020.

Saudi Arabia ranked second on the list of providers in April with 26.27 million barrels or 33.6% of the total. In the previous month, March 2021, Saudi provided 32.334 million barrels, or 44.5% of the total imports.

Japan imported a total of 79.58 million barrels during April compared to  72.670 million in March 2021 and 96.86 million barrels imported in March one year ago. 

The share of Arab oil in April remains crucial for generating energy in Japan at 91.8% of total imports or 73.07 million barrels provided by seven Arab countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria and Sudan according the data. The other 8% of oil consumed in Japan in April came from six countries on three continents.

Imports from Qatar equaled 7.59 million barrels, or 9.5% of the total, while Kuwait provided 6.14 million barrels or 7.7% of total imports. Bahrain provided 1.32 million barrels or 1.7% of the total. Sudan and Algeria provided 370,000 (0.5%) and 344,000 (0.4%), respectively.

Ecuador in Central America doubled its oil supply to Japan compared to March, providing 1.89 million barrels or 2.4% of the total. 

The United States provided 708,000 barrels, or 0.9% of the total. Russia, the only European source, provided 2.55 million barrels of crude oil, or 3.2% of the Japanese total showing a stable increase over the last few months.

Malaysia was the only crude supplier from South East Asia with 468,000 barrels (0.6%). 

Crude imports from Australia and Papua New Guinea in April were statistically insignificant at 0.1% each of the total imports.

The figures cited represent the quantities of oil that arrived to refineries, tanks and warehouses located at ports in Japan during the month of April 2021.

Oil generates about one third of Japan’s energy needs.