Can private companies import crude oil into Japan?

Open commercial market with METI licence. Major importers: ENEOS, Idemitsu Kosan, Cosmo Energy, Fuji Oil, INPEX/JOGMEC. Quality to JIS standards (K 2202 / K 2204).

Are refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline) tradeable by private importers in Japan?

METI 'Petroleum Refining Business Act' / 'Quality Assurance Act' compliance for distribution.

Does OilFlow screen counterparties against Japan regulations?

Yes. The same rule table shown on this page ships in the Regulatory Matrix API; counterparty checks destined for Japan are gated against these rules automatically.

All countries

Regulatory

Japan — oil import rules

These are the same rules the Regulatory Matrix API serves for Japan-bound trade: which products private parties can move, which run through a government or monopoly route, and which are closed outright.

Open to private trade4

Restricted0

Blocked0

Compiled regulatory guidance from OilFlow Network, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the relevant national regulator before structuring a deal.

Product-by-product

Crude oilALLOWED: Allowed for private tradeOpen commercial market with METI licence. Major importers: ENEOS, Idemitsu Kosan, Cosmo Energy, Fuji Oil, INPEX/JOGMEC. Quality to JIS standards (K 2202 / K 2204).
Refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet)ALLOWED: Allowed for private tradeMETI 'Petroleum Refining Business Act' / 'Quality Assurance Act' compliance for distribution.
LPGALLOWED: Allowed for private tradeStandard licensing applies. No special restrictions recorded.
LNGALLOWED: Allowed for private tradeHistorically world's largest LNG importer. JERA (TEPCO/Chubu JV), Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, Toho Gas; trading houses (Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Itochu, Sumitomo, Marubeni).

Frequently asked

Can private companies import crude oil into Japan?: Open commercial market with METI licence. Major importers: ENEOS, Idemitsu Kosan, Cosmo Energy, Fuji Oil, INPEX/JOGMEC. Quality to JIS standards (K 2202 / K 2204).
Are refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline) tradeable by private importers in Japan?: METI 'Petroleum Refining Business Act' / 'Quality Assurance Act' compliance for distribution.
Does OilFlow screen counterparties against Japan regulations?: Yes. The same rule table shown on this page ships in the Regulatory Matrix API; counterparty checks destined for Japan are gated against these rules automatically.

Use this jurisdiction

These rules ship in the Regulatory Matrix API, from $99/mo. Bank compliance teams hit /api/v1/regulatory/check to gate counterparty intake automatically; subscribers get webhooks on every rule change. Screening a specific counterparty into Japan? Run a free check first.