Khaldon Azhari 

TOKYO: Japan’s import of crude oil increased significantly in March 2022, reaching 89.15 million barrels, compared to 78.51 million barrels the previous month with oil from Arab countries accounting for the largest share of the total, according to data from Natural Resources and Energy Agency of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The United Arab Emirates provided 34.11 million barrels, or 38.3% of the total in March, compared to 24.67 million barrels, or 31.4%, in February. Japan imported 30.51 million barrels from Saudi Arabia ranking it second with 34.2 percent of the total of imports that month.

Qatar came in third place with 8.23 million barrels (9.2%) of the March total, followed by Kuwait in fourth place with 6.29 million barrels (7.1%). Bahrain provided 2.04 million barrels (2.3%), and Oman provided about 1.5 million barrels (1.7%). Eight Arab countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria and Sudan, provided 83.82 million barrels according to the data.

Russia, the only European source, provided 3.6% (3.23 million barrels) as the Japanese government has exempted the energy sector from sanctions.

The balance of oil imported in March from Central and South America (2.1%), Africa (0.8%), Southeast Asia (0.1%), and Oceania (0.1%) show a significant record of Japan’s dependence on the oil of Arab countries.

The figures cited represent the quantities of oil that reached refineries, tanks and warehouses in ports in Japan during the month of March 2022. Oil generates about one third of Japan’s energy needs.