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Japan Oil Consumption

- Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes.

Japan Oil ConsumptionThousand Barrels Daily · 2015–2023

4,5004,0003,5003,0002015: 4,235Peak2016: 4,1032017: 4,0842018: 3,9392019: 3,8462020: 3,4122021: 3,4852022: 3,5042023: 3,366Trough20152017201920212023
Source: energyinst.orgLast updated: June 2026

What Japan Oil Consumption shows

Japan Oil Consumption was 3,366 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023, down 3.9% on 2022. The Oil Consumption dataset of Japan from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country's oil consumption, highlighting demand trends, consumption levels, supply patterns, and overall industry performance throughout the review period.

Trend

Falling to a series low

Japan Oil Consumption moved from 4,235 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 to 3,366 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 (−20.5%), an average of −2.8% a year. The series high was 4,235 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 and the low 3,366 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023.

Volatility

A 20.5% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2023) is 869 Thousand Barrels Daily. The sharpest single-year move was −11.3% in 2020.

Structure

Ranks 6 of 46 countries covered

Among the 46 countries in this dataset, Japan ranks 6 for 2023, behind U.S. (18,984 Thousand Barrels Daily) and China (16,577 Thousand Barrels Daily). It accounts for 3.4% of the global total in 2023.

Full series

Japan Oil Consumption by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Barrels Daily.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

Japan Oil Consumption, 2015–2023, Thousand Barrels Daily.
YearThousand Barrels DailyChange vs prior year
2023 Trough3,366 −3.9%
2022 3,504 +0.5%
2021 3,485 +2.1%
2020 3,412 −11.3%
2019 3,846 −2.4%
2018 3,939 −3.6%
2017 4,084 −0.5%
2016 4,103 −3.1%
2015Peak 4,235 —

Regional context

How Japan compares in Asia-Pacific

Oil Consumption by country, 2023, Thousand Barrels Daily. Japan is highlighted.

1China
16,577
2India
5,446
3Japan
3,366
4South Korea
2,797
5Indonesia
1,604
6Singapore
1,359
7Thailand
1,221
8Australia
1,056

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

Oil Consumption — - Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the demand for oil-based fuels and products across the economy. The indicator includes the use of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and other oil-derived products consumed by transportation, industry, power generation, residential, commercial, and other sectors. Oil Consumption is a key measure of a country’s energy demand, economic activity, transportation intensity, and dependence on petroleum resources.

Inclusions

The data includes the domestic consumption of major petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other refined oil products used across transportation, industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, and power generation sectors. It covers both energy-related use and certain non-energy uses of petroleum products, such as feedstocks for petrochemical manufacturing where included in national energy balances. The indicator reflects total petroleum demand within a country regardless of whether the oil is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, refinery reports, trade data, and standardized international energy databases, enabling consistent comparison of oil consumption trends across countries and over time.

Exclusions

The data excludes crude oil production, crude oil reserves, refinery throughput, and petroleum exports. It does not include consumption of natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, electricity, or renewable energy sources unless they are derived from petroleum products. The indicator excludes upstream oil extraction activities and does not directly measure fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, energy affordability, or the quality of energy services. Inventory changes, strategic petroleum reserves, and stock movements may be treated separately depending on the reporting methodology. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national accounting practices, product classifications, and estimation methods used across countries.

About this indicator

Oil Consumption — - Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the demand for oil-based fuels and products across the economy. The indicator includes the use of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and other oil-derived products consumed by transportation, industry, power generation, residential, commercial, and other sectors. Oil Consumption is a key measure of a country’s energy demand, economic activity, transportation intensity, and dependence on petroleum resources.

Measured in million barrels daily, the dataset serves as an important indicator of energy demand, transportation fuel consumption, industrial activity, and the performance of Japan's oil market. It enables assessment of long-term consumption patterns, market dynamics, and changes in petroleum demand across major consuming sectors, supporting analysis of the country's evolving energy landscape.

Japan's oil consumption declined gradually from 4.24 million barrels daily in 2015 to 4.10 million in 2016, 4.08 million in 2017, 3.94 million in 2018, and 3.85 million in 2019. Demand decreased further to 3.41 million barrels daily in 2020, reflecting reduced transportation activity and weaker industrial demand during the global economic slowdown. Consumption recovered modestly to 3.49 million barrels daily in 2021 and 3.50 million in 2022, before declining slightly to 3.37 million barrels daily in 2023, the lowest level during the review period. The overall trend reflects gradually moderating petroleum demand across the economy.

Overall, the dataset indicates a long-term decline in Japan's oil consumption, driven by improving energy efficiency, demographic changes, and the gradual transition toward lower-carbon energy sources. Although demand recovered temporarily after 2020, consumption remained below pre-pandemic levels by 2023. The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring oil consumption trends, evaluating energy demand, supporting market analysis, forecasting future petroleum consumption, and enabling policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders to develop informed energy policies, infrastructure strategies, and long-term investment decisions.

Indicator
Oil Consumption
Country
Japan
Region
Asia-Pacific
Unit
Thousand Barrels Daily
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
Energy & Power
Last updated
June 2026
Source
energyinst.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Japan Oil Consumption?

Definition- Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the demand for oil-based fuels and products across the economy. The indicator includes the use of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and other oil-derived products consumed by transportation, industry, power generation, residential, commercial, and other sectors. Oil Consumption is a key measure of a country’s energy demand, economic activity, transportation intensity, and dependence on petroleum resources.

What was Japan Oil Consumption in 2023?

Japan Oil Consumption was 3,366 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023, down 3.9% on 2022.

How has Japan Oil Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?

Japan Oil Consumption moved from 4,235 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 to 3,366 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 (−20.5%), an average of −2.8% a year. The series high was 4,235 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 and the low 3,366 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023.

Which year had the highest and lowest Japan Oil Consumption?

The highest value was 4,235 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 and the lowest was 3,366 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023.

What does the Japan Oil Consumption data include and exclude?

Included: The data includes the domestic consumption of major petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other refined oil products used across transportation, industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, and power generation sectors. It covers both energy-related use and certain non-energy uses of petroleum products, such as feedstocks for petrochemical manufacturing where included in national energy balances. The indicator reflects total petroleum demand within a country regardless of whether the oil is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, refinery reports, trade data, and standardized international energy databases, enabling consistent comparison of oil consumption trends across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes crude oil production, crude oil reserves, refinery throughput, and petroleum exports. It does not include consumption of natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, electricity, or renewable energy sources unless they are derived from petroleum products. The indicator excludes upstream oil extraction activities and does not directly measure fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, energy affordability, or the quality of energy services. Inventory changes, strategic petroleum reserves, and stock movements may be treated separately depending on the reporting methodology. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national accounting practices, product classifications, and estimation methods used across countries.

Where does the Japan Oil Consumption data come from?

The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Barrels Daily.

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