Japan Cuts 67.2 Percent of Oil Imports from the Middle East

Japan reduced oil imports from the Middle East by 67.2 percent compared to April last year, according to foreign trade statistics released by the Japanese Ministry of Finance.

"Japan's oil import volume from the Middle East in April 2026 was recorded at 3.84 million kiloliters," the ministry said.

As reported by ANTARA, the Kyodo news agency, Thursday, May 21, reported that the figure was the lowest level since 1979.

Japan relies on 94 percent of its oil imports from the Middle East and almost all of them are sent through the Strait of Hormuz.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched an attack on a number of targets in Iran, including Tehran, which caused damage and killed civilians.

The US and Iran then announced a two-week ceasefire on April 7. However, further talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, did not produce an agreement.

US President Donald Trump then extended the cessation of hostilities to give Iran time to submit a "unified proposal."

Escalation of the conflict in the region led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main route for the supply of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf to global markets, as well as affecting oil exports and production.

Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz also triggered an increase in fuel and industrial products in various countries.