Tokyo, Japan–Japan’s crude oil imports from the United Arab Emirates amounted to 25.63 million barrels in June 2023, or 37.4 percent of total imports, the Natural Resources and Energy Agency of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.
During June, Japan’s total crude oil imports were 68.5 million barrels, of which 66.7 million, or 97.3 percent, were provided by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman.
Saudi Arabia was the top oil provider to Japan, with 41.4 percent of total imports in June, making it with the UAE the source of more than three-quarters of Japan’s crude oil needs, which is crucial for the country’s energy security.
Last month, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida witnessed a significant moment of collaboration as several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were exchanged, aiming to reinforce the longstanding and robust relationship between the UAE and Japan.
The ceremony took place at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi during Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit to the UAE. These MoUs and agreements, building upon the UAE-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership declared last year, were exchanged between Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Yoshihiko Isozaki, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Additionally, various other memoranda and agreements were announced between government agencies and private entities from both nations, covering crucial sectors such as sustainability, space science, technology, the environment, renewable energy, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure, industry, and more.
This exchange of MoUs and agreements underscores the commitment of the UAE and Japan to fostering deeper cooperation and exploring new avenues of collaboration across diverse fields. The strengthened ties between the two nations are expected to pave the way for mutual growth and progress in the years to come.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed clean energy cooperation with top officials during a visit to the UAE, host of this year’s UN climate talks.
Kishida’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, which will host COP28 in November-December, is part of the first Gulf tour by a Japanese premier since the late Shinzo Abe in 2020.