Japan Buys Russian Oil for the First Time Since Hormuz Closure

May 2, 2026

Japan is set to receive its first shipment of Russian crude oil since the conflict in the Middle East disrupted global energy supplies, Japanese media reported Saturday, citing the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

While Japan largely suspended purchases of Russian oil following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, it has continued to secure intermittent supplies, most recently last summer.

However, as the global economy reels from the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Tokyo is among the governments now scrambling to secure alternative energy sources.

The Japanese refiner Taiyo Oil plans to receive the cargo through the Sakhalin-2 project in Russia’s Far East, the Mainichi newspaper reported.

Russia’s Gazprom is the controlling shareholder of the project, while Japanese trading houses Mitsui and Mitsubishi also retain minority stakes.

According to Mainichi, the cargo is scheduled to arrive at a terminal in Ehime Prefecture in western Japan.

A U.S. exemption for oil ⁠sales from the Sakhalin-2 project, which mostly ​produces liquefied natural gas, expires in June.

To offset the loss of Middle Eastern supplies, Japan has also moved to increase imports from the United States and other exporters that bypass the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

Japan, which imported 94% of its crude from the Middle East in 2025, had said in March that it would “consider” whether to buy Russian crude after the United States issued its sanctions waiver.

Several other Asian countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea, have also made purchases of Russian oil and petroleum products amid the global supply shock.

Read more about: Japan

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribe Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today?
Remind me later. ×

Remind me next month