Japanese Opposition Lawmaker Suggests Russian Oil Imports To Ease Supply Concerns

TOKYO, April 7 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- A Japanese opposition lawmaker on Tuesday urged the government to consider importing oil from Russia amid rising prices and concerns over stable supplies. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, however, refrained from giving a direct response, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"Russia is the world's largest oil producer and is believed to have export capacity. India and South Korea are already in negotiations or have begun actual deliveries. While I understand this is a complex issue with various diplomatic aspects, if the government aims to secure the largest possible volumes at the lowest possible price, then options including Russia should also be considered," a lawmaker from the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, Hitoshi Goto, said.

In response, Takaichi said that regarding the import of Russian oil, Japan will act by comprehensively assessing what is effective for achieving sustainable peace in Ukraine and what serves Japan’s national interests, in close coordination with the international community, including the G7 countries.

Japan has halted purchases of Russian oil due to the situation in Ukraine, but it occasionally imports small quantities as part of the Sakhalin-2 project. For example, last summer, Taiyo Oil Refining Company imported 600,000 barrels of Sakhalin Blend oil for the first time since 2023.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI