Japan Govt Seeks Stable Supply of Automobile Engine Oil

Tokyo, April 17 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government said Friday that it has asked oil distributors to keep the supply of lubricant oil, commonly used as automobile engine oil, as stable as in the previous year. The government also called on the distributors to reduce supplies from April to clients who purchased large quantities in March. Lubricant oil stocks at the distributors were declining due to the conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran. The request was made on Friday by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy to about 300 companies through an industry group. Lubricant oil, also used for industrial machines, can reduce friction and wear between parts. In March, total lubricant oil shipments by oil wholesalers increased by some 30 pct from a year earlier due to large-scale orders from some companies. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]