The nation imported 7.5 percent less crude oil last month from a year earlier, down for the fourth consecutive month, a government agency said Tuesday.
Imports totaled 102.34 million barrels, of which oil from the Middle East accounted for 82.4 percent, up 0.3 percentage point, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy said in a preliminary report.
Saudi Arabia remained Japan's largest oil supplier, providing 33.71 million barrels, down 1.5 percent. The United Arab Emirates was next with 23.27 million barrels, down 8.9 percent, followed by Russia, which provided 8.93 million barrels, down 17.9 percent.
Japan's output of petroleum products increased 2.1 percent to 15.69 million kiloliters, marking the first rise in four months. Domestic sales declined for the 11th straight month, standing at 17.02 million kiloliters, down 1.1 percent. One barrel equals 0.159 kiloliter.