Japan's Naphtha Imports From Mideast Plunge 95% in MayA · FULL TRANSLATION
- Japan's May naphtha imports from the Mideast fell 95.3%
- Other sources filled the gap; total imports down just 9.1%
- Shows diversification of energy supply chains
- Cutting reliance on a single region
Japan's naphtha imports from the Middle East fell 95.3% year on year in May, yet total global imports dropped just 9.1% as other sources filled the gap, JETRO shows. Naphtha underpins petrochemicals; the shift reflects accelerated de-risking away from a single region amid Middle East instability-economic security in practice.
According to JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) data, Japan's crude oil imports from the Middle East in May 2026 fell by 95.3% year-on-year. However, due to sourcing from other regions (including the United States and the UAE), global imports only decreased by 9.1%. Crude oil is a fundamental raw material for the petrochemical industry, impacting sectors such as plastics and synthetic fibers. This data reflects Japan's efforts to diversify its energy supply chains in response to unstable geopolitical conditions in the Middle East, aiming to reduce reliance on a single region. It exemplifies practical economic security measures.