The trade ministry is studying the effect of a possible ban on Sudanese oil imports, anticipating increased public pressure to halt trade with the African nation because of concern about human rights abuses, officials said.
The world's second-largest oil importer would become the first nation to take such a step. The trade ministry had hearings with refiners and utilities, including Nippon Oil Corp., Japan Energy Corp. and Tokyo Electric Power Co., to probe the consequences of a halt, ministry and company officials said.
Human rights groups have sought to end investment and trade with Sudan, accused by the United States of supporting genocide in the western Darfur region. Sudan's Nile Blend crude is valued as a cheaper alternative to low-sulfur fuel oil and is among the two most popular crude grades burned by Japanese utilities. Imports gained almost 10-fold last year to cope with rising power use.