30-day grace period initiated, Japan plans to study importing Russian crude oil to alleviate oil concerns.

An official from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry said on Friday that Japan will research whether to purchase Russian oil based on international developments and national interests, after the United States granted a 30-day waiver on sanctions against Russia due to the Iran conflict. This waiver by the United States allows countries to purchase Russian crude oil and petroleum products that were previously sanctioned and stuck at sea. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that this move aims to stabilize the global energy market that has been affected by the Iran conflict. Narumi Hosokawa, an emergency crisis management official at the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, said: "We will evaluate this issue based on various international developments and Japan's national interests." Another official from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry stated that Russian oil is crucial for Japan's stable energy supply, but Japan must continue to take "appropriate measures" while considering discussions within the G7, broader international coordination, and national interests. In 2025, 94% of Japan's crude oil imports come from the Middle East, with 93% of the transport route passing through the Strait of Hormuz controlled by Iran. Energy transport through this strait has been almost entirely disrupted due to the US military actions against Iran. On Wednesday, Japanese officials announced a plan to release about 80 million barrels of strategic oil reserves, equivalent to 45 days of supply, to alleviate global energy supply disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East. On Thursday, the Japanese government requested domestic refining companies to use the released strategic oil reserves to ensure the supply of finished oil products domestically. This requirement does not restrict the export of surplus products generated during the refining process. Earlier on Friday, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Akira Amari, stated that domestic refining companies in Japan are seeking to purchase alternative oil from the United States, Central Asia, South America, and other regions.