Coverage Comparison

Reports from TASS, which have been the primary source of information on this development, indicate that Japan has taken delivery of another batch of Russian oil as it grapples with supply disruptions from the Middle East. The tanker Voyager, which carried a cargo from Sakhalin to Japanese companies Taiyo Oil and Idemitsu Kosan in early May, has since arrived at the terminal of ENEOS in the port of Kiire, according to ship tracking data cited by TASS.

ENEOS confirmed to TASS that it purchased Russian oil in response to a request from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which sought additional alternative supplies due to the situation in the Middle East. The exact volumes and contract details have not been disclosed by the companies, but Koichi Hagiuda, deputy secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said that Japan recently imported approximately 720,000 barrels of Russian oil.

This delivery follows earlier reports in May that Taiyo Oil and Idemitsu Kosan had each purchased Russian oil from the Sakhalin-2 project. Those purchases were described by the companies as part of efforts to diversify supply sources.

Japan formally banned oil imports from Russia following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. However, Japanese companies have occasionally purchased small volumes of Russian crude under the Sakhalin-2 project, which also supplies liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan. These purchases are reportedly exempt from sanctions because they are tied to gas contracts.

Key Claims

  • Japan received a shipment of Russian oil via the tanker Voyager, with delivery to ENEOS's terminal in Kiire, according to ship tracking data reported by TASS.
  • The purchase was made at the request of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry due to Middle East supply disruptions, as stated by ENEOS to TASS.
  • Taiyo Oil and Idemitsu Kosan confirmed earlier purchases of Russian oil from Sakhalin, citing supply diversification, per TASS reports.
  • Koichi Hagiuda, LDP deputy secretary general, said Japan imported about 720,000 barrels of Russian oil, as reported by TASS.
  • Japan has banned Russian oil imports since 2022, but small cargoes from the Sakhalin-2 project are allowed when tied to LNG deliveries, according to multiple TASS reports.
  • Japan relies on the Middle East for over 90% of its oil supplies, most of which transit the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by TASS.
  • Shunichi Kito, head of the Petroleum Association of Japan, has mentioned Russia as a possible alternative supplier, according to TASS.

Perspectives

Japanese Government and Industry

Japanese officials and companies have framed these purchases as a pragmatic response to supply risks. ENEOS noted that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry requested alternative supplies. The LDP's Koichi Hagiuda emphasized that Japan cannot unilaterally secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, despite historically good relations with Iran. He also expressed frustration that Japanese media were not covering the issue extensively.

Russian Official and Lawmaker Views

Shoji Nishida, an LDP lawmaker, told TASS that cooperation with Russia in energy would be beneficial for Japan, citing Russia's abundant resources and Japan's technology and capital. He also suggested that the United States is applying pressure to prevent lifting the price cap on Russian oil, asserting that Washington seeks global control over oil markets.

Regional Energy Context

Japan's heavy reliance on Middle East oil has made it vulnerable to disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint, has been a focal point of tensions. While Japan has sought alternative suppliers, Russia has not been a primary option due to sanctions. The occasional purchases from Sakhalin-2 represent a limited exception, tied to existing LNG projects, rather than a broader resumption of Russian oil imports.