Japan crude oil imports increased by 13.6% in July month-on-month but remained around 29% lower than a year ago. The country's appetite for crude oil seems to be slowly recovering after reaching a record low in June, when imports dropped below two million b/d. Data by IHS Markit Commodities at Sea for the first ten days of August suggest imports continue to slowly but steadily recover, with activity so far standing at 2.35 million b/d. A growth of 7.7% is observed in the first third of August month-on-month, but volumes are still significantly below normal levels. Japan imported more than 25% more in August 2019 than ... (full story)