Is Russia a viable oil source for Japan?

The effect of the former Soviet Union crude oil exports on the Japanese VLCC market and its Middle East oil imports: Is near sourcing viable? Japan is a major net importer of ‘primary energy’. Although recent government policies have been directed towards diversifying the type and origin of procurement, she is still empowered, in the main, by Middle East Gulf crude oil supplies. Russia with ample export quantities of crude oil within 1000 km of Japan could provide an alternative ‘near source’. Is it viable? And if so, then what effect is it likely to have on the Japanese VLCC fleet? By a review of available material an overview is provided and explored in the context of Japanʹs current oil policies and sourcing. Prospects for alternative sourcing are investigated and conclusions finally reached.