Japan’s Energy Security Relies Heavily on Arab Nations
In the bustling city of Tokyo, Japan’s imports of Saudi oil in April made a significant impact, with a whopping 31.10 million barrels flowing into the country. This amount represented a staggering 39.5 percent of Japan’s total oil imports, according to the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, a crucial arm of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The Arab Contribution to Japan’s Energy Needs
During the same month, Japan imported a total of about 78.84 million barrels of oil, with the Arab nations coming in strong at 95.6 percent, providing approximately 75.35 million barrels. The strategic importance of five key Arab countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman – as well as the Neutral Zone, cannot be underestimated in Japan’s quest for energy security.
Leading Suppliers and Diverse Sources
Among the Arab nations, the UAE emerged as the top supplier, delivering a substantial 35.79 million barrels, which accounted for 45.4 percent of Japan’s total oil imports. Kuwait and Qatar also made significant contributions, providing 4.71 million barrels (6 percent) and 2.77 million barrels (3.5 percent) respectively. Even smaller players like Oman and the Neutral Zone played a part, each contributing 0.6 percent to Japan’s overall imports.
Diversification Efforts in the Face of Bans
In April, Japan maintained its ban on importing oil from Iran and Russia, leading to diversification in its sources. The remaining 4.4 percent of Japan’s oil imports came from the US (1.6 percent), Central and South America (1.6 percent), Oceania (0.8 percent), and Southeast Asia (0.4 percent).