Japan’s Oil Imports Collapse, Down 67.2% from Middle East in April

May 21, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan’s imports of crude oil from the Middle East plunged 67.2% in April from a year earlier, as the impact of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz began to ripple through the country’s trade and energy supply chains.

According to April trade statistics released by the Finance Ministry, Japan posted a trade surplus of 301.9 billion yen, with exports exceeding imports overall.

The data showed the disruption in the Middle East had a major impact on energy imports, with crude oil shipments from the region falling sharply compared with April last year.

Total crude oil imports from all countries also dropped 63.7%, highlighting the broader strain on Japan’s energy procurement.

Imports of gasoline products, much of which consists of naphtha derived from crude oil, also declined significantly, with shipments from the Middle East down 79.4%.

Japan also appeared to be seeking alternative supplies, with crude oil imports from the United States rising nearly 40% by volume and imports of naphtha-related light petroleum products surging 206-fold from a low base.

Source: customs.go.jp

Source: TBS

Typhoon No. 6 Strengthens Near Okinawa, Heavy Rain Threatens Wide Areas of Japan

As of 9 p.m. on May 30th, Typhoon No. 6 (Chanthu) was continuing to strengthen as it moved northwest over waters east of the Philippines, with Okinawa expected to face the worst conditions from June 1st to June 2nd as the storm passes nearby at strong intensity, while heavy rain is also forecast across western and eastern Japan, particularly along Pacific coastal regions.

Saw, Iron Pipes and Shovel Seized as 30 Teens Get Ready to Rumble

A social media dispute between a 17-year-old high school student from Tokyo's Itabashi Ward and a 16-year-old boy from Edogawa Ward escalated into a planned group fight involving around 30 youths, some of whom allegedly brought weapons including a rusty saw, iron pipes, a special baton and even a shovel.

Japan's Population Falls by 3.1 Million in Five Years to 123 Million

Japan's population stood at 123.05 million in 2025, according to preliminary results from the national census released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, marking a decline of 3.097 million people over the past five years.

Japan Volleyball Player Busted Over Marijuana Possession

Volleyball player Shunichiro Sato, a member of Japan’s men’s national team, was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of possessing marijuana after allegedly leaving a bag containing the drug at a pachinko parlor in Tokyo.

Naphtha Shortage Disrupts Japan's Housing Industry

The “naphtha shortage” triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East is now spreading into Japan’s housing industry, with shortages of paint, thinner, insulation materials and other building products forcing construction delays across the country.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Toyota Halts Development of Lexus Next-Generation EV LF-ZC

Toyota Motor has decided to halt development of the LF-ZC, a next-generation electric vehicle planned under its Lexus luxury brand, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Japan's Megabanks Raise Fixed Mortgage Rates as Long-Term Yields Climb

Fixed-rate mortgage costs in Japan are set to rise again in June as the country's five major banks increase home loan rates in response to higher long-term interest rates, with their flagship 10-year fixed-rate mortgages rising to preferential rates of 3.27% at Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, 3.5% at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and 3.25% at Mizuho Bank.

Inside Luup: The Secret Behind Japan’s Fast-Growing Electric Scooter Network

Japan is facing a growing transportation dilemma. While a record number of foreign visitors in 2025 has fueled congestion and traffic jams in major cities and tourist destinations, many rural communities are grappling with the opposite problem: shrinking populations and aging residents are making it increasingly difficult to maintain public transportation services.

Japan’s 'Wheelchair CEO' Overcomes Financial Crisis to Reach Stock Market Listing

Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare disorder that makes bones fragile and prone to fractures, Toshiya Kakiuchi built a company with a mission to transform both the physical and emotional barriers faced by people with disabilities.

Finland's Economic Minister Warns Japan on National Security

Finland is positioning economic resilience as a core pillar of national security, with Finnish Economic Affairs Minister Sakari Puisto emphasizing closer cooperation with Japan in advanced technologies, supply chain security and dual-use industries during a recent visit to Tokyo.

BOJ Governor Ueda Warns Japan Facing Oil Price Shock

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on May 27th that Japan's economy is facing an "oil price shock" as tensions in the Middle East drive up crude oil prices, speaking at an international conference hosted by the central bank.

Police and Major Banks in Japan Join Forces Against Money Laundering

The National Police Agency announced on May 28th that it will launch a new framework in cooperation with nine financial institutions aimed at rapidly tracing money stolen through special fraud schemes and other scams, as damages from such crimes reached a record high last year.

Toyota Recalls 43,000 Vehicles Including Land Cruiser

Toyota Motor has notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of a recall affecting about 43,300 vehicles across six models, including the Land Cruiser, after instrument panels were found to sometimes fail to start properly when the engine is turned on, causing parts of the display not to appear.

< 2 3 4 5 >