Japan admits that it can’t fully reject Russian oil supplies immediately

SANAA, May 10 (YPA) – Japan can’t fully reject Russian oil supplies immediately but will steadily reduce them, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda said on Tuesday.

He made the comments in reference to the recent decision by the G7 to end dependence of Russian energy resources.

“We can’t now refuse to import Russian oil, but we are ready to gradually abandon dependence on Russian energy resources, while finding alternative sources of supplies,” he said.

Hagiuda reiterated the position voiced earlier by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who said Japan is united with other G7 countries in the decision to give up imports of Russian oil, even though that’s a difficult move for Tokyo.

E.M