Japan’s economy minister confirms no additional crude releases despite projected 20% decline in October oil imports from 2025 averages.
Japan will not tap its oil reserves despite forecasting a 20% drop in October imports from 2025 monthly averages. Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa said imports next month are expected at 80% of the 2025 average, down from August’s 100% rate.
The decline follows rerouted tanker traffic from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to the Suez Canal, avoiding Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. No policy shift was announced, keeping storage levels unchanged.
Markets await further signals on global supply adjustments amid geopolitical tensions.