Japan crude oil imports fall in September as Middle East dependency drops

Japan's crude oil imports fell to 9.25 million kl in September, a 17.7 percent decrease compared to the same month last year, according to data from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the leading supplier, providing 4.48 million kl, which accounted for 48.5 percent of total imports. The United States followed as the second largest supplier with 2.54 million kl, representing a significant increase of 1,372.5 percent compared to the previous year. Saudi Arabia ranked third with 1.33 million kl.

Middle East dependency stood at 68.4 percent, a decrease of 26.3 percentage points from the same month last year. This marks the 12th consecutive month that dependency has remained below previous year levels. Analysts suggest this shift reflects a move away from traditional heavy reliance on Arab nations, potentially benefiting U.S. oil companies amid ongoing concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz.