Japan Resumes Russian Oil Imports After Over Two Years Amid Supply Diversification Efforts

Tokyo, May 2026: Japan has resumed importing crude oil from Russia for the first time since February 2022, marking a significant shift in its energy procurement strategy amid ongoing global supply uncertainties.

The shipment, consisting of Sakhalin Blend crude, is being transported aboard the tanker Voyager and is expected to arrive at Kikuma port on Shikoku Island on May 3. The oil will be delivered to a refinery operated by Taiyo Oil, which confirmed that it is coordinating closely with the Japanese government regarding the purchase.

Japan has traditionally relied heavily on West Asia for its energy needs, with over 90 percent of its crude oil imports sourced from the region. Most of these shipments pass through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, making the country vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. To stabilise domestic supply, Japan has also been releasing oil from its national reserves.

In line with this approach, the government announced a fresh release of reserves equivalent to around 20 days of domestic consumption. According to reports, approximately 5.8 million kilolitres of oil will be released in phases from 10 storage bases across the country, including facilities in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan aims to secure about 60 percent of its crude oil requirements for May through alternative routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. This strategy is part of a broader effort to diversify supply sources and reduce dependence on any single region.

Following a ministerial meeting on the Middle East situation held on April 25, the government indicated that, apart from West Asia and the United States, Japan will also source crude oil from Central Asia, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

The latest move builds on earlier steps taken by the government, including the release of approximately 50 days’ worth of oil from national and private reserves to cushion the impact of disruptions caused by tensions in West Asia.

By combining diversified imports with strategic reserve releases, Japan is seeking to ensure energy security and maintain stability in domestic fuel supplies amid an uncertain global landscape.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)