Japan has received a shipment of Russian oil for the first time in two years, despite ongoing sanctions imposed by the EU and the US. The delivery, reported by Bloomberg on June 9, involved approximately 600,000 barrels of Sakhalin Blend crude oil.

The oil originated from the Russian port of Prigorodnoye, located on Sakhalin Island. The Japanese company Taiyo Oil was identified as the recipient of the shipment.

Taiyo Oil stated that the import was conducted at the request of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A company representative clarified that the oil was produced as part of the Sakhalin-2 project, in which Japan has a stake.

The European Union had previously granted an exemption for the Sakhalin-2 project from the Russian oil price cap until June 28, 2026. This exemption applies to supplies destined for Japan, recognizing the country’s role as a key partner in the project and one of its primary consumers.

The EU cited the importance of supplies from Sakhalin-2 for Japan’s energy security as the reason for the price cap exemption. These exemptions have been in place since the introduction of sanctions in 2022.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry, in its April report “Blue Book on Diplomacy,” affirmed Tokyo’s intention to continue its involvement in the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 projects. The report highlighted the crucial role of these projects for the country in the medium and long term.