Japan Clarifies That Jet Fuel Ban on Russia Covers Third Countries and At-Sea Transfers

Japan’s ban on jet fuel exports to Russia strictly covers shipments routed through third countries as well as ship-to-ship transfers at sea, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa said, Reuters reported on June 7.

Akazawa noted that Japan, in coordination with the G7 and the wider international community, has prohibited the export of a wide range of strategic items to Russia, with aviation fuel explicitly included under these sanctions. While the minister declined to comment on specific commercial transactions, he emphasized that indirect routes do not bypass the restrictions.

The clarification follows a previous report indicating that Russia was poised to import a jet fuel cargo originating from Japan via independent traders, amid a domestic fuel crisis exacerbated by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

To prevent potential sanctions evasion, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is issuing compliance warnings to market participants and sharing data with both domestic and international authorities to maintain strict export controls, according to Reuters.

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These export restrictions coincide with an escalating domestic fuel crisis inside Russia. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have severely disrupted production, driving wholesale aviation fuel prices to record highs and causing market supplies to collapse.

In response to widespread shortages, the Russian government implemented an outright ban on jet fuel exports, while multiple regional airports have been forced to implement rationing measures to preserve remaining aircraft fuel reserves.

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