Japan consumed 109,012 kiloliters of finished lubricants in September, according to data released Oct. 30 by the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. That volume is down from the same month in 2019 but represents an increase from August.
The September figure was 22% less than the volume consumed in September of 2019 but was 7% higher than the 101,588 kL consumed in August.
The nation’s production of lubricants, which includes exports, declined to 167,528 kL in September, down 6% from 179,005 kL a year earlier.
Imports and exports of lubricants were down from a year earlier. Imports fell 47% to 9,425 kL in September, down from 17,829 kL. Exports declined 17% to 71,235 kL, down from 85,372 kL.
The decline likely stems from the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic along with various measures taken to stem its spread, including sharp reductions in personal travel and decreasing purchases of items such as automobiles.
Registrations of new passenger cars, trucks and buses in Japan fell to 469,700 in September, down 14% from 548,200 in September 2019, according to data released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.