TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - 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 on Thursday, May 21.
Japan's oil import volume from the Middle East in April 2026 was recorded at 3.84 million kiloliters, the ministry said. Kyodo news agency reported that the figure was the lowest level since 1979, as quoted by ANTARA.
Japan relies on the Middle East for 94 percent of its oil imports, almost all of which are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched attacks on several targets in Iran, including Tehran, causing damage and killing civilians.
The U.S. and Iran then announced a two-week ceasefire on April 7. However, further talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, did not produce an agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump later extended the cessation of hostilities to give Iran time to put forward a "unified proposal."
The escalation of conflict in the region has led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf to global markets, and has affected oil exports and production.
Increases in fuel and industrial product prices in various countries have also been triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Read: US, Israel Reportedly Planned Ahmadinejad's Return as Iran Leader
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