Japan buys Russian crude oil for first time in over 2 years

Sakhalin Blend import ensures stable LNG supply for country

An oil tanker is moored at the Sheskharis transshipment complex in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, Russia, on Oct. 11, 2022. © AP

SHOTARO TANI

June 12, 2025 10:58 JST

TOKYO -- Japan has imported Russian crude oil for the first time in more than two years, delivered on a tanker sanctioned by both the U.S. and the European Union.

Data from Kpler, a ship tracking specialist, showed that the sanctioned vessel, Voyager, discharged its load at a refinery owned by Taiyo Oil on June 8. The company has confirmed the purchase of the Russian crude.