Mexico to Export 1 Million Barrels of Crude Oil to Japan
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will export 1 million barrels of crude oil to Japan following a request from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to alleviate supply shortages caused by Middle East tensions.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 12:31
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Los Angeles, April 23 (CNA) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced at a press conference today that Mexico will export 1 million barrels of crude oil to Japan, though she did not disclose the specific timing. Due to the situation in the Middle East, the supply of certain products derived from naphtha has become tight in Japan.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Sheinbaum pointed out that Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) had previously received a request from Japan, and she agreed to it during a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the 20th of this month.
The two leaders discussed the Middle East situation and agreed to cooperate in the energy field. Sheinbaum stated after the call, "Japan is facing a crude oil shortage and requested us to export as much oil as possible."
Sheinbaum added that Mexico produces 1.8 million barrels of crude oil daily, with about 400,000 to 500,000 barrels used for export. The impact of the Middle East situation has led to shortages of naphtha-based products in Japan, such as thinners sold in home improvement stores and medical rubber gloves used in dental clinics.
In Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, a home improvement store informed customers that restocking dates for thinners are undecided, with current inventory being only one-third of usual levels. A local dentist also reported that major suppliers are failing to ship rubber gloves, forcing the clinic to reduce staff to conserve supplies. The Japanese government plans to release medical glove reserves starting in May to ease the shortage.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Sheinbaum pointed out that Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) had previously received a request from Japan, and she agreed to it during a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the 20th of this month.
The two leaders discussed the Middle East situation and agreed to cooperate in the energy field. Sheinbaum stated after the call, "Japan is facing a crude oil shortage and requested us to export as much oil as possible."
Sheinbaum added that Mexico produces 1.8 million barrels of crude oil daily, with about 400,000 to 500,000 barrels used for export. The impact of the Middle East situation has led to shortages of naphtha-based products in Japan, such as thinners sold in home improvement stores and medical rubber gloves used in dental clinics.
In Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, a home improvement store informed customers that restocking dates for thinners are undecided, with current inventory being only one-third of usual levels. A local dentist also reported that major suppliers are failing to ship rubber gloves, forcing the clinic to reduce staff to conserve supplies. The Japanese government plans to release medical glove reserves starting in May to ease the shortage.