Why This Topic Landed in Japan

Intensifying Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries have triggered severe shortages of gasoline and jet fuel inside Russia, forcing Moscow to relax fuel-quality standards and leaving drivers with breakdown-prone low-grade fuel. Against that backdrop, Reuters and other outlets reported that Russia is trying to import jet fuel from Japan, allegedly routed through ship-to-ship transfers off the South Korean port of Yeosu — while Iran's state oil company separately approached major Japanese refiners about buying crude. For Japanese netizens, the paradox of an oil-producing giant begging for fuel was irresistible, and the idea that Japanese-origin fuel could become a sanctions loophole — and that Iran would turn to Japan — sharpened a sense of national stake in the outcome.

Key Reaction Themes

  • Cold mockery of Russia — "Serves them right" and "an oil producer this fallen" dominated, framing the shortage as the natural consequence of a failing war.
  • Wariness and sarcasm toward the request to Japan — Many said Japan should refuse ("the fuel will only be used to attack Ukraine"), while others joked it was leverage to demand the Northern Territories back.
  • Cool cost-benefit calculus on Iran — Commenters praised Japan's rare standing to deal with all sides in the Middle East, but noted "we can just buy from Saudi" and warned the deal carries Trump-era risk.

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Russia's fuel shortage and rationing of low-grade gasoline

Reactions to reports that Ukrainian refinery strikes have paralyzed Russia's fuel supply, with poor-quality gasoline causing widespread vehicle breakdowns.

新宿会計士
新宿会計士
@shinjukuacc
·

「ガソリン待ちの行列が宇宙から見えた」と称するツイート。 宇のドローンや「フラミンゴ」長距離ミサイルなどによる石油等の生産拠点叩きが活発化しているとの情報もある。 現在のロシア、まんま大東亜戦争末期の日本と同じ物資不足状態に。これ、戦後大変やで。ハイパーインフレとか。

Mиxaил Cвeтлoв
Mиxaил Cвeтлoв
@MiklSvetlov

Россияне установили рекорд! Впервые в истории человечества очередь за бензином стала видна из космоса!

Image
Reply
Read 3 replies
Mk17🇺🇦🇯🇵
Mk17🇺🇦🇯🇵
@7xy7nkMk17
·

ロシアは、「燃料供給の安定性を高める」ため、年末まで旧ユーロ3規格のガソリンの流通を認可した。 なお、ユーロ3規格の燃料は、硫黄分や樹脂分が多いため、現代の自動車には安全ではないとされている。 早速富裕層の高級車の故障映像が出たけど、お金持ちほどプーチンへの怒りが噴出するのでは??

MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀
MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀
@Maks_NAFO_FELLA

‼️ Russia has authorized the circulation of Euro-3 gasoline until the end of the year to "increase the reliability of fuel supply." Incidentally, Euro-3 fuel is considered unsafe for modern cars due to its high sulfur and resin content.

Image
Image
Reply
Read more on X

Comments:

  • "Completely self-inflicted."
  • "Russia is way too cooked, lol. Come winter they won't be able to heat their homes, and the death-by-freezing count is going to explode."
  • "An oil-producing country that can't even properly make gasoline anymore — how far Russia has fallen."
  • "Whatever happened to 'resource-rich countries don't lose wars'?"
  • "It's just like wartime."
  • "Chinese cars getting caught in the crossfire for no reason, lol."
  • "So they've run out of not just soldiers but oil too?"
  • "Bah, Russia has natural gas — just develop cars that run on gas."

Russia's request to import jet fuel from Japan

Reactions to a Reuters report that Russia, in a fuel crisis after strikes on its energy facilities, is trying to import jet fuel from Japan.

Sources: Yahoo! news, 2ch

Comments:

  • "Give back the Northern Territories."
  • "Begging Japan? That's rock-bottom desperation."
  • "Japan won't approve this, surely."
  • "When a country whose only strength is resources starts saying this, it's over."
  • "It'll only be used to attack Ukraine — what are they even thinking?"
  • "If Japan doesn't stop this, isn't Japan the one who'll get scolded?"
  • "They're still flying bombers at Japan even now, so clearly they have plenty to spare."
  • "No, they'd ask China first, right? Is this a test of Japan?"

Iran's approach to Japanese oil firms

Reactions to a report that Iran's state oil company approached major Japanese refiners about buying crude.

Sources: 47 NEWS, 2ch

Comments:

  • "Wouldn't importing oil from Iran hurt relations with the Arab states? Then again, if it becomes bargaining leverage against the Arabs, maybe it's worth it."
  • "This is the fruit of Japan's diplomatic efforts — is there any other country the whole Middle East, Iran included, trusts this much?"
  • "We can just buy from Saudi Arabia, so there's no need to buy from Iran."
  • "Buy, buy, buy."
  • "If they're going home empty anyway, better to stock up."
  • "Import until the tanks are full. We're fine for a while, but depending on Trump they could pick a fight — do it while we can."
  • "Would Iran just selling cheap to Southeast Asia be enough to hurt Russia?"
  • "Thanks to that there's no terrorism either — though it's an achievement of the past."