According to data released by the Japanese government on May 14, crude oil imports from the Middle East in April 2026 fell 67.2% from the same period a year earlier, hitting the lowest level since comparable statistics began in 1979.
This unprecedented decline reflects a significant shift in Japan’s energy supply strategy, which had long relied heavily on the Middle East for decades.
Experts suggest that the main reasons may include Tokyo’s increased imports from other regions, as well as a push for greater use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. However, detailed breakdowns of import sources and contributing factors are still being analyzed.
The sharp drop comes amid a volatile global energy market and Japan’s ongoing adjustments to its energy security policy aimed at reducing dependence on any single source of supply.
