*Japan’s imports of crude oil and condensate have risen to the highest level since April 2020. Latest government statistics show that Japan imported 2.653mn b/d of crude and condensates this April, up by 309,000 b/d (13%) on March.

*Imports remain depressed for 2021, with 4M21 imports down 13% year-on-year to 2.539mn b/d. Tighter Covid-19 restrictions imposed in late April could dampen the import recovery, and data intelligence firm Kpler shows imports slowing in May. (CONTINUED - 238 WORDS)