Japan Resumed Crude Imports from Russia after Two-Year Halt

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): According to reports, Japan has resumed crude oil imports from Russia, after a halt of nearly two years. The country received shipment from an oil tanker that is reportedly under sanctions by the U.S. and EU.

The data provided by ship-tracking firm Kpler stated that crue was delivered from the sanctioned vessel, Voyager, to a Taiyo Oil refinery on June 8, 2025. The purchase has been confirmed by the refinery authorities as well. Voyager had picked up the crude oil from the Sakhalin 2 oil and gas project toward the end of May this year. The tanker arrived at the Japanese port of Kikuma on Monday.

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The Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry had directed the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy to purchase crude. The company has reportedly bought the crude at the request of the Agency. The same has been confirmed by a Ministry official.

The imports were carried out after confirming with the U.S. authorities that it would not lead to secondary sanctions. Japan was allowed to make the imports, after acknowledgement of its importance to the country’s energy security.

Japan had been a regular importer of Russian crude oil prior to the Russia-Ukraine war. The country has not imported any oil from Russia since January 2023, despite receiving a waiver from the US and the EU on energy security grounds.